havnagar, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Two more people have died after allegedly consuming methanol-laced spurious liquor in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, taking the death toll in the latest hooch tragedy to 13, officials said on Sunday.
Bhavnagar District Collector Manish Kumar Bansal said Mukesh Manilal Damor, 36, died late on Saturday night, while Bhargav Upadhyay, 42, was declared dead on Sunday morning. Three to five patients remain under treatment, officials said.
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) is continuing its probe into the manufacture and distribution of the toxic liquor. Of the 21 people named as accused in an FIR registered at Vartej Police Station, 13 have been arrested and remanded in police custody until September 1.
Investigators are also searching for suspects believed to have travelled from Madhya Pradesh to Bhavnagar to prepare the illicit liquor. Sources said Narendrasinh Yadav alias Doctor, 47, a resident of Indore who allegedly helped prepare the batch, was among those who died after consuming the liquor.
A seized bottle containing the suspected liquor was found to contain 38.59 per cent methanol, according to the investigation.
The SMC is attempting to trace other suspects believed to be from Madhya Pradesh and is seeking transit warrants to bring those detained there to Gujarat. Further arrests are expected.
SMC Inspector General Gagandeep Gambhir reached Bhavnagar on Saturday as the investigation continued. The incident came to light after several people fell ill following consumption of liquor at gatherings in and around Kharakdi village in Ghogha taluka in mid-August.
Police later found that the liquor had been sold in bottles carrying stickers resembling the ‘Royal Stag’ brand. Investigators allege that the liquor was brought from outside Gujarat, adulterated and distributed through a wider network.
The SMC has seized duplicate liquor bottles, chemicals, colours, stickers, caps, sticker rolls, cardboard and other materials allegedly used in preparing and distributing counterfeit liquor.
The accused have been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Investigators are examining the procurement, preparation, transportation and distribution of the liquor and attempting to identify other members of the alleged network.
Those who have died so far have been identified as Upendrasinh Chandrasinh Gohil, 25; Narendrasinh Yadav alias Doctor, 47; Kartik Ashwin Makwana, 40; Kanaksinh Hanubha Gohil, 37; Ghanshyamsinh Jaypalsinh Jadeja, 49; Hitesh Dileep Parmar, 42; Jayesh Jitu Bhatti, 35; Sudhir Kalu Rawal, 40; Hardik Haresh Kilji, 36; Avinash Kanti Parmar, 54; Sanjay Lakshman Dodiya of Surat; Mukesh Manilal Damor, 36; and Bhargav Upadhyay, 42.
Police and the district administration have urged anyone who may have consumed the suspected liquor to seek medical attention immediately.
The investigation into the source and wider distribution of the methanol-laced liquor is continuing.
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