Punjab: Toll in Sangrur spurious liquor case 8; one more arrested

Multiple teams of health officials, Anganwadi workers, police, revenue and rural development officials are conducting a door-to-door survey.Meanwhile, former MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa on Thursday visited the Civil Hospital in Sangrur and inquired about the health of patients.

The death toll due to the suspected consumption of spurious liquor in Punjab's Sangrur has risen to eight, with three more persons succumbing, officials said on Thursday, as police made another arrest and recovered ethanol and raw material used for making alcohol.

On Wednesday, police had said five men died after consuming spurious liquor and some were hospitalised.

Three of those hospitalised at Rajindra hospital in Patiala succumbed during treatment, taking the toll to eight, officials said on Thursday.

They further said 12 more persons were undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Meanwhile, Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla said they have arrested a fourth person, identified as Patiala-resident Harmanpreet Singh, in connection with the incident.

Three others -- Sukhwinder Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Gurlal Singh -- were already arrested in the case.

Harmanpreet was arrested following the interrogation of Gurlal, said Special DGP Shukla.

Police recovered 200 litres of ethanol, 156 bottles of alcohol, 130 bottles containing suspected spurious liquor with labelling, 80 bottles containing spurious liquor without labelling, 4,500 empty bottles and a bottling machine etc.

Police said that with the arrest of four persons, it has busted a gang which has just started selling spurious liquor in the area in view of the coming Lok Sabha polls.

The gang could have affected the conduct of elections by luring voters, police said in a statement.

Sangrur Civil Surgeon Kirpal Singh confirmed that a total of eight deaths have been recorded so far in the incident.

A case was registered under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and the Excise Act and a probe is underway. The district administration has also formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter.

The committee comprises Dirba sub-divisional magistrate, two officers of Dirba police (deputy superintendent of police and a station house officer), a senior medical officer and an excise and taxation officer.

The committee has been asked to submit a report on the matter in 72 hours, Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal had said on Wednesday.

A survey was also being conducted in Gujran village to find out if anyone else reported symptoms of deterioration in health. Multiple teams of health officials, Anganwadi workers, police, revenue and rural development officials are conducting a door-to-door survey.

Meanwhile, former MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa on Thursday visited the Civil Hospital in Sangrur and inquired about the health of patients. He demanded the resignation of Dirba MLA and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Besides, he also sought strict action against those involved in selling spurious liquor.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)