The death toll in Pune’s suspected illicit liquor case has reached 12. Police have filed FIRs in Hadapsar and Pimpri-Chinchwad, naming two accused. Shiv Sena leaders protested, alleging police negligence and demanding action on illegal liquor shops.
FIR Registered, Death Toll Reaches 12
Pune City Police on Friday registered an FIR in connection with the suspected illicit liquor consumption deaths case in Pune, the officials said. An FIR has been registered at the Hadapsar Police Station of Pune City Police. Two accused, Akash Jadhav and one unidentified person, have been named in the FIR as of now, the officials said.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Police had also registered a case at Dapodi Police Station. The overall death toll in the suspected illicit liquor case in Pune rose to 12, with eight deaths reported in Pimpri-Chinchwad and four in the Hadapsar area under Pune City Police jurisdiction, officials said.
Political Backlash Over Tragedy
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Pramod Nana Bhangire, along with other party workers, staged a protest outside Hadapsar police station in connection with the illicit liquor case. Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena leader alleged that the police are deliberately ignoring the operation of illegal liquor shops and further demanded an immediate closure of all illegal liquor shops in the area.
“The police are deliberately ignoring various illegal activities, including the operation of illegal liquor shops in the area, despite being fully aware of them. If the police fail to take action, our women’s wing will step in and demolish the shops selling illegal liquor. The entire issue will be brought to the notice of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. I demand immediate closure of all illegal liquor shops and assured support to the victim’s family,” Bhangire said.
Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticised the government and said it does not seem to realise the seriousness of the incident and termed it a “case of culpable homicide.”
“The poisonous liquor tragedy in Pune is yet another blot on the Home Department, but the government does not seem to realise its seriousness. 18 families have been left devastated. This is a case of culpable homicide. Government officials keep the police engaged in “national service” like love jihad, Hindu-Muslim disputes, Eid sacrifices, and then such mass killings take place! Who is responsible for this?” Raut questioned.
Raut further claimed that the rule of law has collapsed at all levels in the state and asked the goverment to provide Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of those who died. “The rule of law has collapsed at all levels in the state! Now just do this much — Both those selling poisonous liquor and those who died drinking it are Hindus. So give Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of those who died, and put the sellers of poisonous liquor into your famous washing machine, clean them up, and deploy them to expand the party!” he added.
Police Assure Strict Action
Earlier, Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar on Friday informed reporters that, prima facie, the deceased were admitted to hospitals with a history of alcoholic intoxication, and investigations are underway. “Prima facie, the deceased were admitted in hospital with a history of alcoholic intoxication. Post-mortem has been done, and the viscera have been sent to RFSL. We expect the reports by tonight…based on the findings of the investigation, we have proceeded to register an offence,” Kumar said.
He said strict action would be taken against those involved in the alleged racket. “Whoever is involved in this whole racket shall be punished; severe actions will be taken…we have conducted 1000 raids against illicit liquor this year till May 27 in the Pune city jurisdiction. We are further intensifying our search…” he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)