Spurious liquor claims 13 lives in Mumbai, seven critical

MUMBAI: At least thirteen people died and seven others hospitalised in a critical condition after they consumed spurious liquor in a slum in suburban Malad, police said today.

Mumbai Police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni said several persons drank the concoction last night and by 7:30 PM this evening, 13 people have lost their life while seven others are admitted in a critical condition in KEM and Shatabdi hospitals.

While three people died in Prime Hospital, five in Shatabdi Hospital, four in BMC Hospital and one in Siddharth Hospital across the city.

"Police have detained a suspect, identified as Raju Langda in this connection," he said, adding that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses in the case.

The incident occurred at Laxmi Nagar slum near Gamdevi Jurassic park.

He said Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has ordered the Crime Branch to take over the case.

"We are in the primary stage of investigation and not in a position to divulge much details," said Fatteh Singh Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police (North).

He said details like the kind and make of the liquor, where it was brewed and the number of people who drank it will be known after investigation.

In 2004, 87 people died after consuming spurious liquor in suburban Vikhroli. Nineteen people were convicted and jailed in connection with the incident which became famous by the name of "Vikhroli hooch tragedy".