Pune Hooch tragedy kills 15; 8 arrested

Mumbai: At least 15 people have died and several others have been hospitalised, with three in critical condition, after allegedly consuming suspected spurious liquor in parts of Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad, triggering a major crackdown by the police and the State Excise Department.

The deaths were reported from Phugewadi in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pandhare Mala in Pune's Hadapsar locality over the past 48 hours. Officials suspect the victims consumed methanol-laced illicit liquor supplied through an illegal network operating in the region. Samples have been sent to a forensic science laboratory to determine the exact chemical composition and identify toxic adulterants.

Eight people, including Yogesh Wankhede, identified as the alleged bootlegger, have been arrested by city police. According to investigators, Wankhede allegedly manufactured and distributed the illicit batch to both Phugewadi and Hadapsar.


Terming the incident "very serious", Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government had identified the "entire ecosystem" behind the illicit liquor trade. He confirmed that more arrests were likely and said the police and excise departments were jointly probing how widely the network had spread.

"The police are making full efforts in the matter," the Chief Minister told reporters in Mumbai, while assuring strict action against those responsible for the tragedy. He also ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident and sought reports from the Home and Excise Departments.