Gujarat hooch tragedy: Oppn seeks judge-led SIT, demands accountability over liquor network

Bhavnagar, Aug 20 (IANS) The death toll in the spurious liquor incident in Bhavnagar district rose to eight on Thursday, with 31 people undergoing treatment, as opposition parties stepped up demands for accountability and an independent investigation into the manufacture and distribution of methanol-laced liquor.

The Congress said a delegation would visit Bhavnagar on Friday to inspect the affected areas and gather information on the incident, while party president Amit Chavda demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a sitting High Court judge to investigate the entire case.

Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad, Chavda alleged that Gujarat's prohibition law had been reduced to a paper provision and accused the BJP government of failing to prevent the illegal liquor trade.

He also demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi over what he described as "failures" in law and order and enforcement of prohibition.

According to the police investigation, an FIR names 21 accused in connection with the manufacture and distribution of the spurious liquor, and 13 have been arrested.

Police said methanol was used in the illegally manufactured liquor, while investigators were examining the sourcing of raw materials from Madhya Pradesh and Delhi and their subsequent manufacture and distribution in Bhavnagar and nearby villages.

Chavda questioned why details about the procurement of methanol, manufacture, storage, and distribution emerged only after people fell ill and died.

"The proposed SIT should examine the entire chain, including those involved in manufacturing and supplying the liquor, transporting methanol and the failure of police and administrative authorities to detect the operation," he said.

The Congress delegation visiting Bhavnagar will include state working president and MLA Jignesh Mevani, former MLA Rajesh Gohil, vice-president Dr Hemang Vasavada, general secretaries Haribhai Bharwad and Virendrasinh Vaghela, and local Congress leaders Manoharsinh Gohil and Pravin Rathod. The party said it would prepare a report for discussion during the forthcoming Assembly session.

AAP MLA Gopal Italia also visited patients at Sir T Hospital along with party leaders Rajubhai Solanki and Brijraj Solanki, besides meeting families of those who died.

Italia questioned the effectiveness of repeated enforcement drives following previous hooch tragedies.

“If this pain had reached Gandhinagar, another such incident would not have occurred after the Botad-Barwala hooch tragedy,” Italia said.

He also demanded an investigation into the assets of the Bhavnagar SP and police officers who had served in the district's LCB over the past decade.

Police have meanwhile suspended Vartej police inspector A.B. Padheriya and four other personnel as part of the investigation.

The latest investigation has indicated that counterfeit liquor was allegedly prepared using methanol and sold in bottles carrying labels of the 'Royal Stag' brand.

Police are continuing searches for suspected bootleggers and members of the distribution network.

--IANS

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