Chandigarh:
Police on Tuesday killed 17 people after allegedly consumed liquor in Amritsar district of Punjab.
He said that six people have been admitted to the hospital with complications caused by alcohol.
Officials said that death was reported in Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan and villages on Monday night. A police investigation has revealed that methanol was purchased online in bulk to prepare liquor.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that those responsible for the death of innocent people in the villages in Majita will not be spared. “These are not deaths, these are murders,” he said in an X post.
In many villages of Majitha, there is a disturbing incident of death of some 17 people, sinking poisonous liquor. So far, our police have arrested 10 accused. No matter how big or leader, leader, any crime will be given. Because it is not death, a kind of murder … pic.twitter.com/51un1uzgjo
– Bhagwant Mann (@bhagwantmann) May 13, 2025
Opposition parties in Punjab participated in the AAP government and accused the value of “fail” to control the alleged liquor mafia.
He also sought the resignation of Honor and Excise Minister Herpal Singh Cheema.
Meanwhile, Amritsar district administration deployed medical teams that went door-to-door in the affected villages to investigate those who have consumed alcohol.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawani said that 17 people had died after consuming alcohol and most of the victims were daily daily.
This is the second major liquor tragedy that took place in the state in more than a year. In March 2024, 20 people lost their lives after consuming spontaneous liquor in Sangrur district.
In 2020, a total of 120 people died due to luxurious liquor in Taran Taran, Amritsar and Batala.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said that Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Station House Officer (SHO) in Majita have been suspended for negligence.
“In an unfortunate incident in Majitha, the Punjab Police takes fast action after the tragic loss of life due to the naive. Nine persons, including the kingpin of the racket, and many local distributors have been arrested in connection with illegal liquor trade. Methanol is used to buy online, used for Justices. X post.
He said, “An FIR has been lodged under the relevant sections of the Indian Joint Code and the relevant sections of the Excise Act. The DSP of Majita sub-division and the SHO of Majitha police station have been suspended for gross negligence.
Among the arrested people were Prabhujit Singh, who are the main accused, as well as Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur, the police said.
Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawani, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) along with Satinder Singh and Jalandhar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh visited the affected villages. They also met the families of the victims.
“As soon as we came to know about the liquor tragedy.
He said that the victims had either consumed alcohol on Sunday or Monday and started vomiting soon. “We are assuring our full support to the affected families,” said the Deputy Commissioner.
SSP Maninder Singh said that the main accused, Prabhjeet Singh had received a supply of 50 liters of methanol, which he diluted and sold to the people in two-liter packets.
“We are detecting each packet and seizing,” he said.
Police said the main accused were questioned that a Sahib Singh ordered methanol online and then distributed it.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
