In Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, the raging debate about the death toll in the toxic liquor scam remains unresolved as the death sentence was extended to three additional victims as well on Tuesday. The incidents of death and Investigation relating to consumption and sale of spurious liquor was reported in three villages.
At least 150 people have been rushed to hospital following the accident and in total there are 13 patients in critical condition. Some victims were fighting for their lives in the Intensive care unit of Bundelkhand Medical College and some patients were in the hospital for treatment.
That left Sagar district collector Pratibha Pal claiming there were 15 deaths, with health officials at the Banda Civil Hospital and Bundelkhand Medical College suggesting there were 23.
The tragedy has also spurred protests by the families of some victims. The family of Krishna Kumar Lodhi who passed away after drinking the suspected purred liquor, had put forward the demand that the medical college administration cannot hold his dead body since the death was established. A hospital spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry into the allegation by the hospital administration.
Several people had allegedly been drinking country-made liquor for ₹70 apiece on September 7 when the incident started. In the wake of the tragedy, the Madhya Pradesh government had ordered a magisterial inquiry.
Fourteen people have been arrested by Police in connection with the alleged supply of liquors of inferior standard. Chandu Raja Rajput, the head of Karni Sena, and a village leader are among the arrestees, it is reported.
The main accused, government contractor Manish Lodhi, however, is said to be absconding. But as per additional Superintendent of Police Jaiveer Singh Bhadoria, police raided the flat of his and suspect him of being one of the main operators of country-made alcohol.
Police said Lodhi’s employee allegedly had mixed the toxic liqueur which caused death.
Authorities are still continuing investigations and an effort is underway to trace the absconding accused to reveal the complete involvement in production and distribution of the spurious liquor suspected.