Bhavnagar, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has arrested 13 more people in connection with the spurious liquor case in Bhavnagar district, taking the total number of accused arrested to 27, as investigators trace the supply chain of methanol and other chemicals allegedly used to manufacture poisonous liquor.
The latest arrests were made after information obtained during the interrogation of 14 accused arrested earlier helped investigators identify the source of the raw materials, the process used to manufacture the contaminated liquor and the people involved in its sale and distribution.
The 13 newly arrested accused were produced before a court, which granted their police custody remand until September 2, according to officials.
The investigation began after an accidental death was registered at Vartej Police Station in Bhavnagar district on August 18, and police established that people had consumed poisonous liquor containing methanol. Till today, 13 people have died.
A case was subsequently registered against 21 accused under Sections 105, 123, 61(2), 3(5), 274, 275, 345(3) and 349 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 65(A)(B)(D)(E)(F), 65A(2), 65A(3), 67(1)A, 81 and 83 of the Prohibition Act.
On the instructions of the Director General of Police (DGP) G S Malik, the investigation was handed over to the SMC, with Police Inspector S M Jadeja taking charge.
The SMC deployed 16 teams across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and different districts of Gujarat.
The teams are investigating the origin of methanol and other chemicals, the transporters who allegedly brought them, the accused and the locations through which the raw materials entered Gujarat.
The first 14 arrests had already led to the seizure of bottles containing poisonous chemical-laced liquor.
Their interrogation subsequently provided investigators with information about the procurement of raw materials and the manufacture and distribution of the liquor.
Among the 13 newly arrested accused is Anand Chhandi, a resident of Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. Police allege that he was brought from Ujjain and played a major role in the conspiracy to manufacture the poisonous liquor, including supplying chemicals used in its preparation.
The other 12 accused are Arvind alias Pandey Solanki, Sanjay Makwana, Nitin alias Muna Mori, Kishor alias Pocho Solanki, Mayur Solanki, Sanjay Mori, Mukesh alias Kachori Baraiya, Sanjay alias Chakram Baraiya, Nirmalsinh Vadhela, Parthrajsinh Gohil, Sanjay Chavda and Bhagirathsinh Gohil.
According to police, the 12 accused, who are residents of different parts of Bhavnagar district, played roles in the supply chain. They allegedly procured the liquor, kept it in their possession and supplied or sold it to consumers.
With the latest arrests, the SMC said a total of 27 people had been arrested for allegedly participating in the conspiracy to manufacture and distribute poisonous liquor despite knowing that its consumption could cause loss of life.
Police are continuing to collect evidence and trace other people allegedly involved in the procurement of chemicals, manufacture, transportation and distribution of the poisonous liquor.
The SMC said its teams were continuing efforts to apprehend further accused and establish the complete network behind the supply of the contaminated liquor.
Source: IANS
Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.
He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.
When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.
He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz
This website uses cookies.
