Methanol caused hooch deaths in Sonepat, Panipat, say findings

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Sonepat, February 17

Methyl alcohol, also called methanol, had been mixed with liquor that led to a hooch tragedy in Sonepat in Panipat districts in November, a chemical examination report has revealed.

Though 50 persons reportedly died after consuming the spurious liquor, the district administration has claimed that only 21 deaths took place as per the report of a special committee constituted by the Sonepat Deputy Commissioner.

After the incident, the Sonepat police had swung into action and unearthed an illicit liquor-manufacturing unit being run from a house in Naina Tatarpur village of Sonepat. The state government had also constituted a special investigation team (SIT) headed by ADGP Srikant Jadhav to probe the matter.

It was revealed that there was a common supply chain of spurious liquor in both districts. The police had also claimed to have arrested manufacturers, extra neutral alcohol (ENA) suppliers, mediators and liquor suppliers involved in the case.

It came to the fore during the investigation that the ENA used in making the liquor was meant for industrial use only and the supplier, Vijay of Ambala, had procured it for manufacturing sanitiser. However, he sold it to Naresh, alias Nesha, of Naina Tatarpur, who used the substance for making spurious liquor, said sources.

The police have registered 12 cases in Sonepat and Mohana in this regard. The Sanoli police in Panipat have also registered cases.