Hooch tragedy: NHRC notice to UP government - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Hooch tragedy: NHRC notice to UP government

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | By, Lucknow
May 22, 2018 01:24 PM IST

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notice to the UP government over the death several people after consuming spurious liquor purchased from licensed shops in Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat districts.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notice to the UP government over the death several people after consuming spurious liquor purchased from licensed shops in Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat districts.

The excise department is now inspecting all liquor shops, looking for the locally made liquor, sent under `Batch 442’, which is believed to be poisonous as stated by the district magistrate of Kanpur Dehat.(HT File)
The excise department is now inspecting all liquor shops, looking for the locally made liquor, sent under `Batch 442’, which is believed to be poisonous as stated by the district magistrate of Kanpur Dehat.(HT File)

“Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports on the deaths, the commission has issued a notice to the chief secretary calling for a report within four weeks,” an NHRC spokesman said. The state government has announced an assistance of 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those dead.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“The contents of the media reports, if true, amount to negligence on part of the concerned administration. The reported announcement of compensation cannot be a remedy to deal with the menace of spurious liquor. It is necessary for the state authorities to take immediate effective measures to stop selling of spurious liquor from licensed shops and take up investigation into it,” the spokesman said.

The commission further observed that this was not the first incident in which people reportedly lost life after consuming illicit liquor. “Wherever there is no prohibition on liquor, it becomes the responsibility of the State to ensure that any kind of spurious/ poisonous liquor is not sold at the licensed shops under their jurisdiction,” he said.

According to the media reports, the victims in both the districts were sold the same batch of liquor from licensed shops. The excise department is now inspecting all liquor shops, looking for the locally made liquor, sent under `Batch 442’, which is believed to be poisonous as stated by the district magistrate of Kanpur Dehat.

Regional excise inspector of Kanpur Nagar has been placed under suspension and a probe is being conducted. An FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Excise Act has been lodged against the licence holder of the shop from where the spurious liquor was sold.

TOLL IN HOOCH TRAGEDY CLIMBS TO 13

Lucknow: The toll in the hooch tragedy in two districts climbed to 13 with three more persons dying in hospitals since last night, police said on Monday.

As many as eight persons, including two grandsons of a former Samajwadi Party MLA, have been arrested in this connection.

While seven persons died in Kanpur, six others died in neighbouring Kanpur Dehat district after consuming spurious liquor since Saturday, ADG, Kanpur, Avinash Chandra said.

The ADG said that eight persons including Vinay and Neeraj, grandsons of former SP MLA Ram Swarup Gaur, had been arrested for their alleged involvement in sale of spurious liquor while a hunt was on for some others.

The police were also searching for the former MLA, he said.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered in both the incidents and raids are being carried out to nab the culprits.

Irate residents of Maghaipurwa and Bhanwarpur villages in Kanpur Dehat yesterday blocked the road demanding speedy arrest of the accused and adequate ex gratia to the kin of the deceased.

On Saturday night, a massive operation against hooch manufacturers, traders and suppliers was carried out by the police in suburban pockets.

The regional excise inspector has already been suspended while samples of the liquor in question have been sent for testing

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a financial assistance of 2 lakhs to the next of kin of each of the deceased, an official statement said.PTI

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On