Gujarat : Five Dead After Consuming Ayurvedic Syrup

Ahmedabad : A sad tragedy has shocked the Kheda region, Gujarat when five people died within two days after drinking an Ayurvedic syrup purchased from a local grocery store. This combination, estimated to contain more than 12% Methanol, also rendered five people seriously sick and forced them to be taken to a government hospital. The Kheda Police Department and the Food and Drugs Department are intensively investigating this unfortunate tragedy, with a focus on the Ayurvedic syrup that caused the deaths.

Vikas Sahay, Director General of Police, addressed the media, confirming the deaths of three people caused by the ingestion of this Ayurvedic syrup. In addition, two more fatalities are being investigated, with no conclusive link to the syrup yet discovered. The person responsible for selling the syrup has been detained by Kheda police and is being questioned about its origin and source.

Dr. H G Koshia, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, emphasised on-site investigations by departmental teams. He explained that the Ayurvedic syrup, ‘Asava Aristha,’ contains less than 12% alcohol and is only available with a doctor’s prescription. However, it seems that some merchants disregarded the limits imposed by the liberal Ayurvedic legislation, which does not require licencing for the storage or sale of such syrups.

Dr. Koshia emphasised the likelihood of unauthorised methanol addition, which resulted in this catastrophic condition. Bottles of ‘Meghasava’ Ayurvedic syrup confiscated in Bilodra and Bagdu villages, supposedly from a non-existent firm, have sparked concerns.

During the first inquiry, Kheda police determined that the lethal syrup was sold at the Kisan Kiryana grocery store. As a consequence, three people have been held for interrogation in connection with these unfortunate occurrences, according to Kheda District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhia.

Gadhia revealed that five people bought the syrup on November 27th and 28th, resulting in the deaths of Alpesh Sodha and Mitesh Chauhan from Bagdu village, as well as Ashokbhai, Arjunbhai, and Natubhai from Bilodra village. Hospitals shockingly gave remains to relatives without telling authorities, who burned them.

Fortunately, Natubhai’s corpse has been returned to the hospital for a postmortem investigation. The operation will be overseen by panel physicians, and samples will be transferred to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for additional examination.

During their inquiry with the locals, the police discovered Baldevbhai, who had been hospitalised after buying the syrup on November 26th. He felt ill after drinking it and sought medical assistance, when it was determined that the beverage contained methanol rather than ethanol.