Five dead in Kanpur hooch tragedy, at least 10 ill
(Sourced from PTI)
A man died this morning at a private hospital in Kanpur after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, raising the toll of the hooch tragedy in Kanpur district to five. Four people died yesterday and at least 10 others were taken seriously ill after they allegedly consumed feigned liquor in different villages under the Sachendi police station area in the district.
Bhola Yadav, 30 was admitted to a private hospital on Saturday and died on Sunday morning, said Kanpur District Magistrate Surendra Singh. The other deceased have been identified as Rajendra Kumar (48), Ratnesh Shukla (51), retired sub-inspector Jagjeevan Ram (62), and Umesh (30). The relatives of the victims said all of them had consumed liquor purchased from a government liquor shop.
Kanpur's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akhilesh Kumar said an FIR under sections of the IPC and the Excise Act was lodged against Shyam Balak, the license holder of the liquor shop. Administrative officials and the Excise Department are investigating the matter, he said. Saturday night, a massive operation against hooch manufacturers and suppliers was carried out by the police in the suburban pockets.
According to an official, four people have been detained so far, but the main accused Shyam Balak is still absconding. The state government has already announced ex gratia of R.s 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 each for the seriously ill, while the regional excise inspector was suspended.
