MP hooch tragedy: Official toll 13, Congress claims 50+; 14 arrested, probe ordered

Bhopal, September 7: The official death toll in the hooch tragedy in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district rose to 13 on Monday, as two more people died during treatment. The State Congress president, Jitu Patwari, however, claimed the number of deaths was over 50 after visiting the affected villages, prompting a sharp exchange between the ruling party and the opposition.

The police have so far arrested 14 people linked to the supply of spurious liquor, allegedly brought from Uttar Pradesh's Lalitpur district. Collector Pratibha Pal has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, which occurred on the intervening night of September 5 and 6, when several villagers in Banda and Shahgarh subdivisions fell ill with vomiting, fainting, and seizures after consuming the illicit liquor.

Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla, who has been stationed in Sagar to monitor the situation, confirmed the latest deaths on Monday. “Two more people passed away during treatment,” he said, adding that over 50 people were now out of danger. “Three people are still critical, and efforts are under way to save them.”

Officials said 92 people are still undergoing treatment — 65 at Bundelkhand Medical College, 17 at the District Hospital, and 10 at Civil Hospital, Banda. Medical teams remain deployed in the affected villages for door-to-door screening to check for further cases, according to district PRO Soumya Samaiya. She denied local reports that suggested a higher death toll.

The government has announced compensation of ₹4 lakh to the families of each of the deceased. A sub-divisional magistrate will conduct the inquiry ordered by Collector Pal, focusing on both the circumstances leading to the deaths and the chain of production and sale of the spurious liquor.

On Monday, the police registered two separate cases against 30 people under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 105, 123, and 3(5), along with provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act, 1915. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Banda) Pradeep Valmiki said that all 14 arrested are local vendors selling liquor at unauthorised shops in villages.

“We have produced them before a court and secured their police remand. We are interrogating them to identify the supply chain,” Mr. Valmiki said, adding that the actual manufacturers are suspected to be based in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, and have not yet been apprehended.

The investigation has also revealed a link to licensed liquor shops. One Manish Lodhi, a licensed vendor, is absconding after his shop was sealed on suspicion of supplying counterfeit liquor to the local network. “Samples from his shop have been sent for testing, and he has been named an accused,” the officer said.

Congress leader Jitu Patwari, who visited affected families, alleged the death toll is far higher than officially acknowledged. “More than 50 people have died, and the toll may rise further. Over 150 people are undergoing treatment, and around 50 are critical,” he said. He demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Jagdish Devda, who also serves as Deputy Chief Minister.

Mr. Patwari appealed to the media to report accurately, saying, “People are falling ill at multiple places. I urge media houses to present the actual situation to the public.” The Congress also cited a history of hooch tragedies across Madhya Pradesh, asserting that such incidents have occurred in 13 districts in the past.

Officials have maintained that all necessary actions are being taken. “We are continuously raiding locations to reach everyone involved in this network,” SDOP Valmiki said. The police have not yet confirmed the exact source of the methanol contamination, but they are awaiting forensic reports on the seized liquor samples.

Local residents have expressed anger over the recurrence of such incidents, demanding stricter action against illegal liquor networks and better regulation of licensed shops. Authorities have increased patrolling in the affected areas to prevent any further distribution of spurious liquor.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the persistent problem of illicit liquor in rural belts, where cheap, informally sold alcohol is common despite prohibition laws in some states. In Madhya Pradesh, liquor is legal but regulated, and the sale of spurious alcohol continues to pose a public health risk.

As the investigation continues, the administration has assured that all victims receive proper medical care. The district health department has been asked to keep a daily record of patients and to report any new cases immediately. The state government has also assured strict action against those found guilty.

Meanwhile, political sparring over the death toll has intensified, with the ruling BJP accusing the Congress of spreading misinformation. “The government is transparent about the facts, and baseless claims will not be entertained,” a senior state minister said, refusing to be named. The Congress has countered by challenging the government to release the names of all deceased.