Spurious liquor case: Toll rises to five, seven officials suspended
Seven officials have so far been suspended and a village watchman dismissed in connection with the deaths in Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot district allegedly due to consumption of spurious liquor, even as another fatality raised the toll to five, police said on Monday. "The incident took place in Khopa village and the first death was recorded on Saturday," according to police.
Two persons are in a serious condition
"So far, five villagers have died while two others are in a serious condition and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Allahabad," Inspector General of Police, Chitrakoot Dham (Range), K Satya Narayan said on Monday. "Altogether eight officials/employees, including the SDM, DSP, and district excise officer have been suspended in this connection and four people have been arrested," the IG said.
Former gram pradhan undergoing treatment at a hospital
"Taking a serious view of the incident, the government suspended Rajapur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rahul Kashyap Vishkarma, DSP Ram Prakash, District Excise Officer Chatar Sen, and Excise Inspector Ashraf Ali Siddiqui till late Sunday night," the IG said. "Former gram pradhan Manohar and Vivek are undergoing treatment at a hospital," he said.
Names of the five people who have lost their lives
"While Sita Ram (60) died in the village on Saturday night, Munna Singh (40) died in a private hospital on Sunday morning," the IG said. "Satyam (22) and Durvijay Singh (32) died while being taken to Allahabad, and Babli Singh (38) died late Sunday night at a hospital in Allahabad," police said.
Sub-Inspector, two constables suspended; village watchman dismissed
"Besides, Sub-Inspector (SI) Brijesh Pandey, constable Bhupendra Singh, another constable, Lekhpal Rajesh Kumar have been suspended," the IG said. "The village watchman, Sunil Kumar, has been dismissed," he said.
Liquor shop and general merchant shop sealed
The IG said liquor contractor Ram Prakash Yadav, general merchant shop owner in Khopa village Trilok Singh and two others have been arrested while the liquor shop and general merchant shop have been sealed. To a question, the IG said detailed investigations are on and whether the liquor was spurious or not will be known only after the report is received.
Victims fell sick after consuming country-made liquor
The IG had on Sunday said that upon preliminary inquiry, it has come to light that the victims consumed country-made liquor on Saturday, after which they fell sick. "There is no liquor sale outlet in the village, and the booze was brought from a shop located almost 15 kilometers away," the IG had said.
