Sagar Hooch Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs Amid Protests

The fake liquor incident that occurred in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh resulted in the deaths of three people. The death toll continues to increase. The families of the deceased have accused the government authorities of burying the dead bodies of those killed in the incident. These deaths were reported on Tuesday in three villages. As many as 13 out of the 150 hospitalized people in the Intensive Care Unit at Bundelkhand Medical College are currently struggling for their lives. The collector of the district, Pratibha Pal, has confirmed officially that the death toll stands at 15. Health officials in Banda Civil Hospital and Bundelkhand Medical College have given the figure as 23.

Families Allege Bodies Withheld

Further to this, the family of the deceased Krishna Kumar Lodhi has conducted a protest alleging that the hospital authorities have not given back the body of Krishna Kumar Lodhi despite confirmation of his death. The administration of the medical college has not reacted to these allegations. The entire issue was triggered by villagers drinking alcohol illegally priced at ₹70 per bottle on 7th September, resulting in the state government asking for a magisterial inquiry into the case. To date, a total of 14 people have been arrested, including Karni Sena local leader Chandu Raja Rajput.

Investigation And Political Fallout

The Lodhi officials have been under suspicion for tampering with the alcohol. Samples worth a hundred have been collected by investigators to find the source of the contamination. Demolition has been hinted at after the authorities searched the accused’s properties. At the same time, the Congress party leader, Rahul Gandhi, has blamed the BJP state government for the contamination scandal in relation to the previous ones which occurred due to contaminated water and toxic cough syrup in the state. 
A ten-day de-addiction campaign has been initiated in more than one hundred villages.

-Ishita Ranjan