A team from the National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday met the kin of the deceased in the spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district and directed the police to investigate the matter. The team has asked the police to immediately record the statements of the victims’ kin, as some of them claimed that this had not been done.
Nearly 20 people have died so far due to the alleged consumption of spurious liquor in Bandha tehsil, while 100 others are undergoing treatment at the Bundelkhand Medical College hospital. Some of them reportedly have even lost their eyesight while undergoing treatment. So far 19 of the 30 accused in the case have been arrested. The main accused, Manesh Lodhi, alias Yashwant Rashput, is still on the run.
Interacting with media reporters, NHRC team leader Kanoongo said, “This incident is extremely unfortunate. Many people were injured. In such a situation, the police have a huge responsibility. All legal provisions must be followed. We have instructed the police to immediately record their statements…. The families allege that the police have neither taken statements from the local liquor suppliers nor taken any action.”
He further expressed surprise that the liquor that caused the death of several had been sourced from government-permitted shops. The Madhya Pradesh government has also announced compensation for the families of the victims who died because of consuming the spurious liquor. Madhya Pradesh minister Govind Singh Rajput had recently visited the hospital and met the families of the victims.