A deadly health scare has rocked Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad after as many as 18 people died allegedly due to the consumption of suspected toxic liquor in multiple areas, the police reported on Friday. According to police, several others have fallen ill, prompting the cops to mount a probe into the illicit liquor network believed to be operating across the region.

As per sources, the devastating incident unfolded over the past few hours, and fresh death cases have emerged from Hadapsar and Kalepadal shortly after a similar incident surfaced in the Dapodi-Fugewadi belt. Authorities said that five persons died in Pune, while 13 people met the same fate in Pimpri-Chinchwad, taking the total death toll to 18. 

Police probe on, 8 held so far

The police said they have arrested eight persons so far in connection with the case, including one Yogesh Wankhede, who is suspected to be a key supplier of the spurious liquor consumed by the victims in both affected areas. 

According to investigating police personnel, Wankhede had earlier been detained by the Pune State Excise Department in a separate matter related to illicit alcohol activities. Officials believe the same distribution chain may have supplied the toxic liquor responsible for the latest fatalities. 

Senior police officials aware of the case said that an in-depth probe is underway to unearth the wider supply network and identify others involved in the manufacturing and sales of the spurious alcohol. 

Post-mortem reports awaited

New agency PTI, quoting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Sandeep Atole, reported, “Prima facie, the case appears to be linked to spurious liquor consumption. The autopsy reports are awaited and a detailed inquiry shall be conducted after they are received. 8 persons have been apprehended in connection with the case.” 

Victims experienced severe illness after drinking

The relatives of the victims and the local residents said the victims experienced symptoms such as vomiting, unbearable stomach pain and sudden deterioration in health post-liquor consumption. Many of them were rushed to nearby hospitals, where several of them died during treatment. 

Medical experts suspect methanol poisoning, although officials are awaiting chemical analysis and post-mortem findings before reaching any conclusion. 

Delay in FIR sparks outrage

Even as the death toll mounted, the local police allegedly did not register an FIR, drawing sharp criticism from residents and local representatives. The infuriated locals accused authorities of laxity despite mounting evidence pointing towards toxic liquor consumption. Police officials from Hadapsar and Kalepadal, however, defended the action, saying that a case would only be registered after forensic and autopsy reports are received. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis has directed the cops to take the strictest action possible against all those involved and warned officials not to spare anyone connected to the trade of illicit liquor.