Bhavnagar, Gujarat: At least four people have died and 18 others are receiving medical treatment after allegedly consuming counterfeit liquor in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. The incident has triggered a police investigation into the supply of illegally distributed alcohol, with four suspected bootleggers detained so far.
The incident came to light after several people fell seriously ill following a gathering in Kharakdi village in Ghogha taluka. According to district officials, authorities received information about the illness on Tuesday evening. Investigators later found that a number of those affected had consumed liquor from bottles believed to be counterfeit versions of a popular Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) brand.
Officials said that 22 people were affected in total. Four have died, while the remaining 18 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Among those being treated, two patients are reported to be in critical condition, four are in intensive care, two are on ventilators and ten are considered stable.
The deceased have been identified as Kartik Makwana, 40; Upendra Gohil, 25; Ghanshyam Jadeja, 50; and Narendra Yadav. Authorities have cautioned that the exact connection between Yadav’s death and the consumption of spurious liquor has not yet been conclusively established.
Police Investigation
Bhavnagar police have begun an investigation into the origin and distribution network behind the counterfeit liquor. Police teams reportedly detained four people suspected of being involved in supplying the fake IMFL bottles. Several bottles of the suspected duplicate brand were also seized during the operation.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the counterfeit liquor may have been supplied from Madhya Pradesh. Investigators are now attempting to determine where the bottles were produced, how they entered Gujarat and who was responsible for distributing them in Bhavnagar. A forensic science laboratory team has also been involved in examining the material recovered during the investigation.
