ELEVEN people died after consuming hooch (spurious liquor) in the village of Nauraja, Patan and Gugra Kurd of Banda tehsil, Sagar. Around 35 affected people were brought to the hospital, and some still remain in critical condition. Critically ill patients have been referred to Bundelkhand Medical College and the District Hospital in Sagar and the death toll is feared to rise further. Following the deaths in this hooch incident, State Government has taken swift action. Excise Commissioner Deepak Saxena has been suspended along with Kirti Dubey (Assistant Excise Commissioner, Sagar), Dilip Khandate (District Excise Officer), and Roshni Urethe (Excise Sub-Inspector posted in Banda). Gugra police chowky Incharge Puran Singh, SHO, Banda police station Rajendra Kushwaha has also been suspended.

 

Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Flying Squad in-charge Neerja Srivastava has been removed from the district and attached to the Gwalior headquarters. Sagar Collector stated that, based on two or three post-mortem examinations conducted so far, the consumption of methyl alcohol is indicated prima facie. Meanwhile, SP Anurag Sujania said that the preliminary investigation reveals the liquor was supplied from Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. Some individuals have been detained and are being questioned, and the network in Lalitpur is also being investigated. According to doctors, the patients brought to the hospital had turned blue and were experiencing stiffness. The administration has reserved separate beds at BMC for suspected cases. Post-mortem examinations and other legal proceedings are underway.

 

The administration swung into action following the deaths. Sagar Divisional Commissioner, Inspector General (IG), District Collector, and Superintendent of Police (SP) visited the affected villages and met the bereaved families. As a precautionary measure, six liquor shops in the area have been sealed, and orders have been issued to collect samples for testing. Simultaneously, directives have been issued to take strict action against illegal liquor traders. Most of the affected person are from Nauraja and Ghughra Khurd villages under the jurisdiction of Banda police station area. Family member of the deceased informed that many of them had taken liquor and half an hour after drinking they started shivering and died. After the first report regarding the incident was received, screening is being conducted in the affected villages, and individuals who consumed alcohol are being examined.

 

Those showing symptoms are being referred to Bundelkhand Medical College. Teams of doctors and nurses have been deployed across the three affected villages and are conducting door-to-door screening to identify patients. Those requiring further treatment are being stabilized before referral to higher medical facilities. Officials warned that the death toll could rise and said medical teams were continuing their work in the affected areas. Before departing for Dubai, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav stated that he had instructed the Minister in charge and officials to immediately visit the site and conduct an investigation.

 

He assured that strict action would be taken in this matter, emphasising that his government would not tolerate such incidents at all. Deputy CM Jagdish Devda stated that whoever is responsible for the tragedy will not be spared. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has also ordered strict action. Collector Pratibha Pal has informed that all arrangements have been made for treatment of affected person at Civil Hospital. Team of doctor and SDM are visiting door-to-door in affected areas. The deceased include Golu alias Chaman Lodhi, son of Sahab Singh, age 45 years, Digvijay, son of Devendra Lodhi Village Nauraj (age 28 yrs), Kartar Singh, son of Jodhan Lodhi Village Nauraja (age 30 yrs), Uyar Singh, son of Vijay Singh Lodhi (age 56 years), Roshan Lodhi, son of Jagannath Village Patan, (30 years), Rajendra, son of Murat Lodhi Village Nauraja, Googra ( age 32 years), Harnam, son of Ghanshyam Rai Village Chauka (age 42 yrs), Uttam Natthu Nayak Village Dalpatpur (age 42 yrs), Sumer Singh Dangi, son of Puran Village Bamura (age 47 yrs), Rajkumar Lodhi, son of Nannai Lodhi Village Bara (age 47 yrs), Surendra Ahirwar, Village Lidhaura (age 35 yrs).