Natasha6581 at 16:08, 6 October 2025

2025-10-06T16:08:09Z

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{{Short description|Mass poisoning in Gujarat, India}}
{{for|the mass poisoning incident in 2022|2022 Gujarat toxic liquor deaths}}
The '''Gujarat alcohol poisonings''' occurred in July 2009 in [[Gujarat]], resulting in the death of 136 people<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160504005017/http://www.sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jhlluiidbdc&title=Ahmedabad_liquor_death_toll_rises_to_136 Ahmedabad liquor death toll rises to 136]</ref> from consumption of [[bootleg liquor]].

==Background==
Gujarat had banned [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] consumption since 1960 as a homage to [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi]]. However bootlegged alcohol, known as Hooch, is widely available, allegedly under the patronage of the local police.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rs1000-crore-business-under-cops-nose_1272134'Rs1,000 crore business under cops' nose']</ref> Gujarat has witnessed several occasions of [[alcohol poisoning]], claiming the lives of more than 400 people after the ban was enforced.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203021632/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-21/ahmedabad/28006844_1_liquor-dens-bootleggers-quality-liquor Hooch might return to haunt]</ref> To counter the liquor mafia, the state government in 1996 formed the State Prohibition Department, which was dismantled in 2006 because of a shortage of police personnel. During the tenure of the department there were no incidents of alcohol poisoning in Gujarat.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/gujarat_to_build_team_to_counter_liquor_mafia.php Gujarat to build team to counter liquor mafia]</ref> The revenue loss to Gujarat government because of the ban is estimated to be around Rs 30 Billion. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5e73a3ba-6f44-11de-9109-00144feabdc0 |title=Call to end Gujarat alcohol ban after 122 deaths |access-date=2009-07-14 |archive-date=2015-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708232100/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5e73a3ba-6f44-11de-9109-00144feabdc0.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Alcohol poisoning==
On 7 July 2009, ten people died in [[Behrampura]] after drinking spurious liquor.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201448/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-08/ahmedabad/28184749_1_spurious-liquor-brew-kantodiavaas Killer brew claims 10 lives in city]</ref> The liquor was brewed in the house of Arvind Solanki, who also died after consuming the liquor. The death toll rose to 43 next day <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.katu.com/news/national/50226387.html |title=Police: Homemade liquor kills 43 |access-date=2009-07-14 |archive-date=2009-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712125004/http://www.katu.com/news/national/50226387.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and crossed 120 by 12 July. <ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=ae2UlPgMUvFc Indian Bootleg Liquor Toll Rises to 123 as Gujarat Vows Probe]</ref> Two hundred seventy-six people were admitted in various hospitals with nearly 100 of them in [[intensive care unit]]s.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090712104020/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-136/96884-3.html Gujarat hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 136]</ref> More than 1,000 litres of hooch containing [[methanol]] was brought to [[Ahmedabad]] from Mahemdavad.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090716195810/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/investigation-cops-handinglove-with-guj-hooch-mafia/96991-3.html Investigation: Cops hand-in-glove with Guj hooch mafia]</ref>

==Reactions==
After the incident, there had been demands for repealing the [[Prohibition in Gujarat|prohibition of alcohol in the state]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090717085321/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ftn-in-right-spirit-gujarat-must-end-prohibition/97059-3.html In right spirit, Gujarat must end prohibition]</ref> [[Vijay Mallya]], the chairman of [[United Breweries]], criticised the Gujarat government. He claimed that: "Blanket prohibition has never worked in this free world".<ref>[http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/jul/110709-Vijay-Mallya-decries-Gujarat-liquor-ban.htm Mallya decries Gujarat liquor ban]</ref> The state assembly also witnessed scenes of uproar and demands for the resignation of [[Narendra Modi]], the chief minister of the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gujarat's chief minister faces calls to quit after moonshine poisoning claims 112 in India |date=2009-07-10 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627194222/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/10/india-deaths-bootleg-alcohol |archive-date=2023-06-27 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/10/india-deaths-bootleg-alcohol}}</ref> The leader of the opposition of Gujarat Assembly, [[Shaktisinh Gohil]], alleged that Rasik Paramar, a [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) councillor in the area, was a key figure in the state's bootlegging network.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/hooch_tragedy_kills_122_modi_in_a_fix.php Hooch tragedy kills 122; Modi in a fix]</ref>

Following the tragedy, the police conducted more than 8,000 raids in the state, [[arrest|book]]ing 6,713 persons for violation of prohibition<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090717083503/http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/12/stories/2009071255840800.htm Gujarat police launch crackdown on hooch]</ref> On 14 July, the police announced that Vinod Chauhan, the prime accused had managed to slip out of Gujarat.<ref>[http://www.zeenews.com/news546766.html Key accused in hooch tragedy slips out of Gujarat ]</ref> The state government introduced a bill in the state Assembly to amend the Prohibition Law, calling for penal action up to the [[death penalty]] for those convicted in spurious liquor cases.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hooch Tragedy: Guj for death penalty for convicts |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hooch-tragedy-guj-for-death-penalty-for-convicts/97227-3.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718150319/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hooch-tragedy-guj-for-death-penalty-for-convicts/97227-3.html |archivedate=2009-07-18 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2009-07-16 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Prohibition in Gujarat]]
*[[Laththa Commission]]
*[[Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) 2009]]
*[[List of alcohol poisonings in India]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:2009 crimes in India|Gujarat]]
[[Category:2000s in Gujarat|Gujarat alcohol poisonings]]
[[Category:Alcohol-related deaths in India]]
[[Category:Methanol poisoning incidents]]
[[Category:Crime in Gujarat]]
[[Category:July 2009 in India|Gujarat alcohol poisonings]]

2009 Gujarat alcohol poisonings - Revision history

Natasha6581 at 16:08, 6 October 2025