Aligarh hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 22

Six people, including two licensees, have been arrested, the officials said, adding that a reward of ₹50,000 was declared on two absconders.

The death toll in the Aligarh hooch tragedy rose to 22 on Saturday while 12 more people were being treated at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, AMU, and the Malkhan Singh District Hospital after they drank spurious liquor bought from two government-authorised alcohol shops in at least three villages, district magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh said on Saturday.

Family members mourn after more people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor sold by a licensed vendor in Aligarh district. (PTI)

Six people, including two licensees, have been arrested, the officials said, adding that a reward of ₹50,000 was declared on two absconders.

In a late evening development, the Lodha police station SHO was also placed under suspension. SSP Aligarh Kalanidhi Nathani has ordered a probe to be conducted by SP (crime). “In order to rule out any impact on the probe ordered, the in-charge of Lodha police station, Abhay Kumar Sharma, has been suspended with immediate effect,” Nathani said.

Meanwhile, police launched a search for absconding accused who are among a dozen named in cases registered at police stations in Lodha, Khair and Jawan.