Mumbai hooch tragedy: Death toll reaches 102, concern over unabated spurious liquor flow

The toll due to consumption of spurious liquor in Malad area of Mumbai climbed to 102 on Monday with the death of one person in the adjoining Malad area, after he consumed the spurious liquor.

The toll due to consumption of spurious liquor in Malad area of Mumbai climbed to 102 on Monday with the death of one person in the adjoining Malad area, after he consumed the spurious liquor.

People-mourn-next-to-the-body-of-a-man-who-died-after-consuming-spurious-liquor-in-Mumbai-on-Saturday-Reuters-File-Photo

The police on Sunday arrested two bootleggers in connection with the incident.

On Sunday, the deputy commissioner of police Dhananjay Kulkarni had said that 46 persons were undergoing treatment in the various hospitals.

The state government has announced compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Liquor still flows

Patients were still coming in with symptoms after consuming spurious liquor, according to doctors in Shatabdi Hospital who did not wish to be quoted, indicating that liquor continues to be sold in the area.

Though police have cracked down on its sale, the dense pockets of various slums were making it difficult. There is a population of 5.1 Lakh under Malwani police station, with 10 slums all of which have small liquor dens.

Police began crackdown only a day after the deaths were reported in Malwani. “The policemen knew all about the sales. Every week, a constable or another would visit this area and collect money,” said Sundar Kaundar, whose brother is admitted to Shatabdi Hospital.

(With agency inputs)