Gujarat : Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Death Toll Rises to 10

BHAVNAGAR :The death toll in the Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy rose to 10 on Saturday after 35-year-old Hardikbhai Hareshbhai Khilji died at Sir T Hospital on the fifth day of treatment, intensifying concerns over the illicit liquor network operating in the region.

Khilji, a resident of Vardhmannagar in the Bharatnagar area of Bhavnagar, had initially been admitted to a private hospital after allegedly consuming spurious Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Sir T Hospital, where he succumbed while undergoing treatment.

At least 17 people are still undergoing treatment in connection with the incident that came to light on August 18. Avinash Parmar of Bhavnagar, Mukesh Damor of Mahisagar and a patient identified as Bhargava are reportedly in critical condition at Sir T Hospital.

The tragedy has also spread beyond Bhavnagar. On Friday, August 21, Bhavnagar native Sanjaysinh Dodia, who had travelled to Surat after allegedly consuming poisonous liquor, was declared brain dead at INS Hospital in Surat.

Meanwhile, police investigations have revealed a suspected trail involving Royal Stag bottles. Two empty bottles were found on Saturday at a ground opposite the old police line in Bhavnagar.

In Sihor taluka, police arrested alleged bootleggers Praveen Jadhav and Ashwin Jadhav. During questioning, they reportedly revealed that they had purchased 10 boxes of Royal Stag from Hardeep Mori of Vartej, identified as an alleged supply point.

Police said five boxes were later taken back after the liquor was allegedly found to be of poor quality, with 10 boxes of Ritz supplied in exchange. The accused allegedly destroyed four-and-a-half boxes of Royal Stag in a hilly area near Sar village on August 19.

Police seized 94 Ritz bottles and goods worth Rs 65,800 and registered a case under the Prohibition Act against Jadhav, Ashwin Jadhav and Mori.

Laxmanbhai Damor, uncle of patient Mukesh Damor, urged the government to act firmly.