Hooch Tragedy Strikes Nadiad: Three Dead After Consuming Suspected Spurious Liquor

Nadiad : Three individuals lost their lives in Nadiad’s Jawaharnagar area late on Sunday night, reportedly after consuming spurious liquor. The incident has sparked a full-scale investigation by local authorities amidst allegations of a hooch tragedy.

The deceased, identified as Yogesh Kushwaha, Ravindra Rathod, and Kanubhai Chauhan, allegedly fell severely ill within half an hour of consuming the liquor, leading to their untimely deaths. Family members of the deceased have voiced suspicions that the fatalities were caused by the consumption of illicit alcohol.

PK Chauhan, a relative of one of the deceased, recounted, “My nephew Kanu Chauhan frequented the Jawaharnagar gate area and was accustomed to drinking alcohol regularly. His sudden demise after consuming alcohol this evening has deeply shocked us. Upon learning of his condition, we rushed him to Nadiad Civil Hospital in a 108 ambulance, where doctors, unfortunately, pronounced him dead.”

Upon receiving notification of the incident, authorities from Nadiad Town Police responded, initiating procedures to transport the bodies for post-mortem examinations. Police officials have begun interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence to ascertain the exact cause of death and to determine if the incident indeed involves a hooch tragedy.

In response to the alarming situation, a joint team comprising local police, district law enforcement, and special investigation units has been deployed to the area. The State Monitoring Cell from Gandhinagar has also joined efforts to investigate the matter thoroughly.

This incident has reignited concerns about the proliferation of illicit liquor, despite Gujarat’s prohibition laws. Historically, the state has witnessed previous hooch tragedies, including the 2009 Ahmedabad incident where over 140 lives were lost, and a 2022 incident in Botad resulting in more than 35 fatalities due to adulterated substances sold as herbal supplements.

In December 2023, five individuals from nearby villages, including Bilodara, Vaddala, and Bagdu, succumbed to Ayurvedic syrup that was found to be contaminated, further highlighting the dangers posed by illicit alcohol substitutes.

The recent events in Nadiad have prompted calls for stricter enforcement measures against illicit liquor production and distribution networks. Local authorities and community leaders are advocating for decisive action to prevent such tragedies from recurring and to safeguard public health.