A toxic batch of bootleg alcohol has resulted in the deaths of at least 53 people in Tamil Nadu, Southern India, with the toll expected to increase as many others remain critically ill. The incident highlights the recurring issue of fatal methanol contamination in illicit liquor, consumed by individuals trying to save money or evade legal restrictions.
Rajat Chaturvedi, the police superintendent of Kallakurichi District, where the deaths have occurred over the past week, reported that 98 people have been hospitalized. “The dead and hospitalized individuals are primarily daily wage laborers,” said Chaturvedi.
The first fatality was reported on Wednesday, with victims having consumed local brew sold in small pouches for approximately 50 cents. The village of Karunapuram has been severely affected, with a mass cremation held on Thursday for over a dozen victims.
The consumption of tainted alcohol has led to multiple mass-casualty events in India in recent years. In some states where alcohol is banned, residents often resort to smuggled or unregulated liquor. In other regions, villagers opt for bootleg alcohol due to its lower price compared to regulated beverages.
Historical incidents underline the severity of this issue:
- In 2019, at least 150 people died in Assam from consuming bootleg alcohol, following an earlier incident where 100 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- In August 2020, a toxic brew in Punjab led to the deaths of at least 120 people.
- In December 2022, 70 people died in Bihar, which has had an alcohol ban since 2016.
- Last year, a similar incident claimed the lives of at least 22 people in two districts of Tamil Nadu.
The current crisis has intensified pressure on the Tamil Nadu government. Opposition leaders and the state’s high court are scrutinizing the administration’s handling of the situation. Opposition lawmakers, dressed in black, have demanded the resignation of Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, M.K. Stalin.
Chief Minister Stalin has responded by announcing an investigation led by a retired judge and instructing police to intensify efforts against the homemade liquor trade. Authorities have arrested the individual allegedly responsible for producing the toxic alcohol, along with his wife and another associate. In response to the incident, the district’s senior civilian official has been reassigned, and several police officers have been suspended.
According to local reports, there are allegations of police complicity, with claims that law enforcement took bribes from bootleggers distributing the illicit brew in villages. Chaturvedi acknowledged the possibility of indirect involvement due to police inaction, which led to suspensions from the constable to the deputy superintendent level.
The tragedy underscores the ongoing dangers of unregulated alcohol in India, where enforcement challenges and economic pressures continue to drive vulnerable populations towards hazardous alternatives.
