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Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Ludhiana police arrest 2 salesmen after three die from consuming suspected spurious liquor.
Ludhiana: Police have arrested two liquor salesmen after suspected toxic alcohol consumption killed three men in this Punjab district on Wednesday night, prompting a broader investigation into the origin of the hooch. The victims — Rinku, 40, Debi, 27, and Mangu Sharma, 32 — all residents of Sanyas Nagar, allegedly had consumed illicit liquor purchased from a local outlet before their deaths. Police on Thursday confirmed the arrests of Onkar Singh and Sushil Kumar, both from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, who were employed as salesmen at the Sanyas Nagar outlet. Cops registered this case under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 3(5) (criminal act done by several people in furtherance of common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions under the Excise Act. They based their action on a complaint received from Anil Kumar, a neighbour and friend of the victims. Additional deputy commissioner of police Sameer Verma said police had also written to the excise department seeking a full report on the liquor's manufacturing and distribution trail. "We want details on the distillery, batch number, and intermediaries involved in supplying the alcohol to the outlet," Verma said, adding that a report was expected within three to four days. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The deaths have raised concerns over a potential hooch tragedy, a term used commonly for deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor. A senior police official confirmed that 17 cartons of liquor were seized from the shop and sent to the forensic sciences laboratory in Kharar for testing. The post-mortem examination of the victims has been completed at the local civil hospital, though the declaration of the official cause of death remains pending. "The viscera samples have been sent for chemical analysis. The autopsy report is awaited," Verma also confirmed. Anil Kumar, the complainant, told police that the men would drink together regularly in an empty plot at Sanyas Nagar. On Wednesday evening, he saw Debi consuming "raspberry liquor", a locally sold variant of desi (country-made) alcohol, near Kaddo's Drinking Arena. Shortly afterwards, all three men reportedly fell ill and died. The excise department is under orders to trace and potentially recall the affected liquor batch from other outlets as a precautionary measure. The case comes amid a series of nationwide crackdowns on spurious liquor, which remains a recurring public health threat in several states. MSID:: 121360205 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
After spurious liquor deaths in Ludhiana: Police arrest 2 vend employees, seize over 400 bottles for testing
In the aftermath of three suspicious deaths linked to the consumption of country-made liquor in Sanyas Nagar, Noorwala Road and Basti Jodhewal, police have arrested two employees of the liquor vend from where the victims allegedly purchased the liquor and seized over 400 bottles for testing. The police have recovered 422 half-litre bottles of Rasbhari, a country-made liquor brand, from the same vend. While the bottles were legally labelled, they have been sent for chemical examination to determine if adulteration played a role in the deaths. Rinku Kumar,40, Debi,27, and Mangu Sharma,32, reportedly consumed spurious liquor before falling critically ill. They later succumbed, prompting an immediate response from the Basti Jodhewal police. Their autopsy was conducted on Thursday and viscera samples were sent to the forensic science laboratory. The definitive cause of death will be known only after chemical analysis. Inspector Jasvir Singh, station house officer of Basti Jodhewal police station, said, 'Onkar Singh and Sushil Kumar, both residents of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, were arrested on Friday in connection with the case. Although the liquor seized was from a legally operating vend, the samples would be tested to confirm their safety.' The two accused have been booked under Sections 105 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 61, 1, and 14 of the Excise Act. The arrests come amid growing public anger over regulatory oversight and enforcement. Though the police acted swiftly, some senior excise officials, speaking off the record, appeared to downplay the severity of the situation. One official stated, '172 bottles of Rasbhari were sold on the night of the incident. If the liquor were adulterated, more people would have fallen ill.' The remark has drawn criticism and deepened suspicions of negligence or a potential cover-up. Meanwhile, a massive cordon-and-search operation was launched late on Thursday night in areas around Bahadur Ke Road and Noorwala Road. Led by assistant commissioners (excise) Shivani and Inderjeet Singh Nagpal, and excise officers Amit Goyal and Ashok Kumar, the joint operation included 255 personnel—155 police officers and 100 from the excise department. Punjab BJP treasurer Gurdev Sharma Debi visited the victims' families and extended financial aid of ₹1 lakh each from his personal funds.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
Week after Amritsar tragedy, hooch claims 3 lives in Ludhiana
LUDHIANA: More than a week after the hooch tragedy in Amritsar claimed 27 lives, another case of spurious liquor consumption has surfaced - this time in Ludhiana's Sanyas Nagar. Three men died on Wednesday night after allegedly consuming illicit alcohol in Basti Jodhewal. Deceased Rinku (40), Debi (27), and Mango (32), were residents of the locality. The complainant, Anil Kumar, said after noticing Debi's condition worsening, he informed the family. He and his nephew then helped Debi back to his house before returning to their own. A while later, Anil learned that Debi, along with Rinku and Mangu Sharma, had all passed away. He alleged that the trio died because of consuming the liquor. Jodhewal police have registered a case against unidentified individuals under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Punjab Excise Act. Jodhewal police station SHO Jasbir Singh said confirmed the liquor vend was licensed. A senior police officer said police seized 17 cartons from the vend and sent the samples to the forensics lab in Kharar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo He said police have written to the excise department, requesting the immediate withdrawal of the entire batch from all vends. senior medical officer (SMO) of civil hospital, Dr Harpreet Singh, told TOI that a three-member board of doctors has been constituted to conduct the post-mortem examinations. He said the deaths occurred under mysterious circumstances, and the definitive cause will be known once the reports are received. A health department official said the first body, identified as Rinku's, was brought to the hospital at 9.50 pm, while the bodies of Mangu and Debi arrived between 1am and 1.15am. Kartar Singh, Debi's elder brother, said the three were close friends. Repeated attempts to contact officials from the excise department did not elicit a response. However, sources within the department said it is still unclear whether the issue lies with the liquor brand or the vend.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: ‘Spurious' liquor death toll mounts to three
The death toll in the Ludhiana 'spurious' liquor rose to three as two more persons, who were admitted to hospital, died on Thursday morning. Rinku, 40, died on Wednesday night, while on Thursday morning two others identified as Debi, 27, and Mangu Sharma, 32, died. The trio had consumed country-made liquor 'Rasbhari' purchased from a local vend, officials said. The incident has exposed glaring contradictions between the Ludhiana district administration and the police department with no one providing clear-cut answers to the cause of deaths. The incident comes close to the heels of the Amritsar hooch tragedy in which 27 people, primarily daily-wage workers, died. The post-mortem of the trio was conducted on Thursday and the viscera has been sent to forensic science laboratory for chemical analysis, deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain said, adding that the doctors are not sure of the exact cause of death yet. 'We are waiting for the post-mortem and chemical report,' the DC said. Police have lodged an FIR under Sections 105 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 68, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act, stating that the victims died after consuming country-made liquor. The FIR has been lodged not on the complaint of the victim's kin but on the statement of one Anil Kumar—an acquaintance who admitted he was present when the victims consumed the liquor but claimed he didn't drink himself. Tehsildar Amritbir Singh, who visited the hospital on Wednesday, publicly claimed 'no smell of liquor was emitting from the bodies,' implying that alcohol may not be the cause. His statement directly contradicts the FIR, which was filed based on a witness account confirming consumption of the liquor. According to sources at the Civil hospital, Ludhiana intoxicants were found in the system of the deceased, although no 'smell of liquor' was detected. Ludhiana commissioner of police Swapan Sharma said that samples have been collected from vend from which the liquor was allegedly procured. 'Action will be taken after forensic verification,' he said. Kartar Singh, brother of victim Debi, accused the police of inaction. 'Drugs and illegal liquor sales are rampant in our area. If the police had cracked down earlier, my brother and the other two would still be alive,' he said. The victims came from marginalised and economically weak sections. Rinku was a beggar and leaves behind three children, Mangu worked at a sweet shop, and Debi was a daily wager. Their deaths, many fear, may soon be forgotten under bureaucratic jargon and forensic delays unless strong action is taken. Opposition slams govt Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the excise minister Harpal Singh Cheema should be held responsible for the deaths. Warring and Ashu condemned the AAP government's failure to control and prevent the production and supply of spurious liquor in the state. 'It's shocking. The victims had purchased the liquor reportedly from a government-approved vend. The manufacturers of spurious liquor have no fear of law,' Warring said. Pritpal Singh Baliawal, spokesperson for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said: 'Is this the 'Rangla Punjab' that Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann promised?' Balliawal demanded️ ₹10 lakh compensation and a job for each victim's family.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
Amritsar redux: 3 dead as liquor tragedy strikes Ludhiana
1 2 3 4 5 6 Ludhiana: Just days after the hooch tragedy in Amritsar that claimed 27 lives, another suspected case of spurious liquor consumption has surfaced - this time in Ludhiana's Sanyas Nagar. Three men died on Wednesday night after allegedly consuming illicit alcohol in Basti Jodhewal area. The deceased have been identified as Rinku (40), Debi (27), and Mango (32), all residents of the locality. Police have registered a case against unidentified individuals and launched an investigation into the source of the liquor. The complainant, Anil Kumar, a labourer and resident of Sanyas Nagar, said the deceased were known to be habitual drinkers and lived in his neighbourhood. According to Anil, the trio regularly purchased liquor from a vend located next to Kaddo's Drinking Arena in Sanyas Nagar. On Wednesday around 6 pm, Anil himself bought a paua (small bottle of liquor) from the same stall and noticed Debi standing there at the time. He said when he spoke to Debi, the latter mentioned he had already consumed Raspberry liquor (country-made liquor). Debi then went to an empty plot located in the middle of Mohalla Sanyas Nagar to drink. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cặp EUR/USD: Đà Tăng? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Anil added that Debi, along with Rinku and Mangu, were sitting together in the same plot, consuming alcohol. During this time, Debi's health suddenly began to deteriorate. After noticing Debi's condition worsening, he immediately informed the family. He and his nephew then helped Debi back to his house before returning to their own. A short while later, Anil learned that Debi, along with Rinku and Mangu Sharma, had all passed away. He alleged that the trio died because of consuming the liquor. Acting on the complaint, Jodhewal police registered a case against unidentified individuals under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Punjab Excise Act. Station house officer (SHO) of Jodhewal police station, Jasbir Singh, said the investigation is underway and the case remains against unknown persons. He also confirmed that the liquor vend in question is legally licensed. A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said police seized 17 cartons of paua from the liquor vend and sent the samples to the forensic sciences laboratory in Kharar to determine whether the liquor was spurious. He said the police have also written to the excise department, requesting the immediate withdrawal of the entire batch from all vends where it was distributed. He added that the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem examination, viscera analysis, and chemical testing of the seized liquor. Meanwhile, senior medical officer (SMO) of civil hospital, Dr Harpreet Singh, told TOI that a three-member board of doctors has been constituted to conduct the post-mortem examinations. He noted that the deaths occurred under mysterious circumstances, and the definitive cause will be known once the chemical examiner's and histopathology reports are received. A health department official said the first body, identified as Rinku's, was brought to the hospital at 9:50 pm, while the bodies of Mangu and Debi arrived between 1 and 1:15 am. Kartar Singh, Debi's elder brother, said the three were close friends and habitual drinkers who often consumed alcohol together. He said they had procured liquor on Wednesday evening and had only consumed a small amount before collapsing. Debi is survived by two daughters and a son. Repeated attempts to contact officials from the excise department did not elicit a response. However, sources within the department said it is still unclear whether the issue lies with the liquor brand or the vend that may have sold it.
