The toll from the toxic liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district rose as three more people died on Tuesday across three villages, even as 13 of at least 150 people hospitalised remained critical, and the kin of some of those who died claimed they were not being given the bodies. The three were struggling for their lives at the Intensive Care Unit of Bundelkhand Medical College
The main accused and government contractor Manish Lodhi is absconding. He added that Manish Lodhi is believed to be the key operator behind country-made liquor production. Police arrested 14 people, including Rajput organisation Karni Sena leader Chandu Raja Rajput, a village head, for supplying spurious liquor.
Additional police superintendent Jaiveer Singh Bhadoriya said police raided Manish Lodhi’s home. “His employee allegedly prepared the toxic liquor that led to the deaths.”
The family of Krishna Kumar Lodhi, who was among those who died, protested, saying the medical college administration was not handing over his body even as his death has been confirmed. The medical college administration refused to comment.
District collector Pratibha Pal confirmed only 15 deaths, although Banda Civil Hospital and Bundelkhand Medical College health officers put the toll at 23. “In Madhya Pradesh, medicines are toxic, liquor is toxic, and water is toxic. An impartial investigation should be conducted, and accountability must extend beyond low-level employees to anyone whose negligence or collusion is exposed.”
He cited deaths in Indore from contaminated water and child fatalities due to toxic cough syrup in Chhindwara.
