Sabari2398 at 20:51, 27 March 2026

2026-03-27T20:51:28Z

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{{Short description|Mass poisoning in Gujarat, India}}
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| venue = Villages in [[Botad district]] and surrounding districts in [[Gujarat]]
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| cause = [[Methanol toxicity|Methanol poisoning]] from [[Rum-running|boot legging]]
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| reported deaths = 42
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On 25 July 2022, at least 42 people died and more than 97 were hospitalized in a [[List of methanol poisoning incidents#India|methanol poisoning incident]] in Gujarat, India.<ref name="NDTV 27 July" /><ref name="ABC" /> The victims had consumed undiluted [[methanol|methyl alcohol]] (methanol), assuming it to be alcohol.<ref name="aljazeera" /> The spurious liquor was then sold to more than 100 people in the villages of [[Ahmedabad]], [[Botad]] and [[Surendranagar]].

The Gujarat government said that the deaths were caused by "chemical poisoning" caused by 98.71% to 98.99% methanol, illegally sourced from an employee of a chemical packaging company, who sold it to bootleggers from different villages in the [[Botad district]]. An investigation is ongoing and fifteen people have been arrested by the police in the incident. Police have said they have recovered 475 litres of the liquid.<ref name="Death 42" /><ref name="CNN" />

==Background==
{{further|Alcohol prohibition in India#Gujarat}}

Sale and consumption of alcohol is legal in most parts of India other than four states including Gujarat. According to the World Bank 22.5% of 1.3 billion Indians live below the poverty line. Illicit alcohol is brewed in villages and then smuggled to the cities for sale at cost of {{INRConvert|8}}, one third of the cost of legally brewed liquor.<ref name="CNN" />

Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat state. Illegal manufacture and sale of toxic alcohol is punishable by death under [[Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Act, 2009]]. The law was made after [[2009 Gujarat alcohol poisonings]] in which more than 136 people had died.<ref name="BBC 2011">{{cite news |title=Gujarat introduces death penalty for toxic alcohol |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-16044845 |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=BBC News |date=6 December 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727135621/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-16044845 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Illicit spurious liquor known locally as "lattha", is popular in rural Gujarat. According to the local politicians, the prohibition on the sale of alcohol is not enforced strictly and bootlegging of liquor is rampant across the state, due to the nexus between the bootleggers and the local police under the patronage of the ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in the state.<ref name="Langa" /> Local politicians have complained to the authorities several times about the widespread sale of liquor in the village. Legal action was sought against the bootleggers. The police was accused by the local politicians of inaction due to rampant corruption and bribery received from the local bootleggers.<ref name="Langa" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Vaibhav |date=June 27, 2022 |title=Spurious liquor claims 30 lives over two days in 'dry' Gujarat |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-8052441/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902160431/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-8052441/ |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Chokdi]], the locals alleged that the police checked the places where alcohol was brewed twice a day, but just took regular bribes and let the production continue,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agrawal |first=Soniya |date=July 30, 2022 |title=42 deaths, 15 arrests, 6 suspensions: How 'liquor crackdown led to' hooch tragedy in dry Gujarat |url=https://theprint.in/india/42-deaths-15-arrests-6-suspensions-how-liquor-crackdown-led-to-hooch-tragedy-in-dry-gujarat/1060428/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903034041/https://theprint.in/india/42-deaths-15-arrests-6-suspensions-how-liquor-crackdown-led-to-hooch-tragedy-in-dry-gujarat/1060428/ |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> even though prohibition was in force in Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=News Service |first=Express |date=July 28, 2022 |title=Gujarat: Opposition says 'BJP failed to enforce Prohibition Act' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-botad-ahmedabad-hooch-tragedy-opposition-bjp-failed-enforce-prohibition-act-8055840/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903033843/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-botad-ahmedabad-hooch-tragedy-opposition-bjp-failed-enforce-prohibition-act-8055840/ |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=September 3, 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2011 |title=Gujarat introduces death penalty for toxic alcohol |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-16044845 |access-date=September 3, 2022}}</ref>

The newly appointed [[Barwala Taluka|Barwala]] [[sub-inspector]] B.G. Vala halted the illegal liquor trade in [[Chokdi]], within 15 days preceding the toxic liquor deaths. This forced the 20-30 families that relied on the alcohol trade for survival to use more dangerous methods to get it.<ref name="Agrawal">{{Cite web |last=Agrawal |first=Soniya |date=July 30, 2022 |title=42 deaths, 15 arrests, 6 suspensions: How 'liquor crackdown led to' hooch tragedy in dry Gujarat |url=https://theprint.in/india/42-deaths-15-arrests-6-suspensions-how-liquor-crackdown-led-to-hooch-tragedy-in-dry-gujarat/1060428/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903034041/https://theprint.in/india/42-deaths-15-arrests-6-suspensions-how-liquor-crackdown-led-to-hooch-tragedy-in-dry-gujarat/1060428/ |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=September 3, 2022 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> However, after the case, Vala and other 5 policemen were transferred for alleged dereliction of duty.<ref name="Agrawal"/>

==Incident==
On 25 July 2022, bootleggers from Rojid, Ranpari, Chandarva, Devgana, Chokdi and a few other villages in [[Botad district]] had made the spurious liquor with methyl alcohol (methanol), a highly poisonous chemical. The liquor was sold to the villagers for {{INRConvert|20}} per packet.<ref name="Langa" /> The Police said that the victims from Ahmedabad in [[Gujarat]] state had consumed undiluted [[methanol]], assuming it to be alcohol.<ref name="aljazeera">{{cite news |title=Toxic liquor kills dozens in India's 'dry state' of Gujarat |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/26/toxic-liquor-kills-dozens-in-indias-dry-state-of-gujarat |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=aljazeera.com |date=27 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727035409/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/26/toxic-liquor-kills-dozens-in-indias-dry-state-of-gujarat |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ABC">{{cite news |title=Illegal alcohol kills 38 in India after 10 more die in hospital |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-27/illegal-alcohol-kills-38-in-india-after-10-more-die-in-hospital/101275114 |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=ABC News |date=27 July 2022 |language=en-AU |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727091348/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-27/illegal-alcohol-kills-38-in-india-after-10-more-die-in-hospital/101275114 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The incident came to be known on early morning of 26 July, when some of the residents of Rojid village of Barvala taluka and surrounding villages became sick and their condition started deteriorating. They were referred to the government hospitals in Barvala and Botad towns for treatment.<ref name="Wire 27 July" />

On 26 July 2022, the [[Gujarat government]] said that the deaths were caused by "chemical poisoning". It mentioned that the analysis of the substance consumed by the victims had been done at Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Gandhinagar. The tests showed the presence of 98.71% to 98.99% methyl alcohol. The methanol was illegally sourced from an employee of a chemical packaging company.<ref name="Express 27 July">{{cite news |title=Spurious liquor claims 30 lives over two days in 'dry' Gujarat |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-8052441/ |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726185601/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-8052441/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Victims==
The police said that spurious liquor, known locally as "lattha", was sold to more than 100 people in the villages of Ahmedabad, Botad and Surendranagar. 51 victims were admitted in the hospitals of Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar.<ref name="Express 27 July" /> Several people from villages of [[Ahmedabad district]] had arrived to Botad to consume the cheap liquor.<ref name="Langa">{{cite news |last1=Langa |first1=Mahesh |title=Spurious liquor claims 36 lives in dry Gujarat |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/spurious-liquor-claims-several-lives-in-gujarat/article65684390.ece |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=26 July 2022 |language=en-IN |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809115113/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/spurious-liquor-claims-several-lives-in-gujarat/article65684390.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rojid village, the epicentre of the tragedy had reported 11 deaths. Since noon of 25 July, the affected villagers had lost their eyesight and were vomiting blood.<ref name="Express 27 July" />

By 27 July, the number of dead had increased to 42 people with more than 97 hospitalized.<ref name="Death 42">{{cite news |title=Gujarat Toxic Liquor Deaths Rise To 42, Total 15 Arrested So Far |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-toxic-liquor-deaths-rises-to-42-total-15-arrested-so-far-3199919 |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=NDTV.com |date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727171955/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-toxic-liquor-deaths-rises-to-42-total-15-arrested-so-far-3199919 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NDTV 27 July">{{cite news |title=Toxic Liquor Deaths In Gujarat Reach 40, Nearly 50 Still In Hospital: Cops |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/toxic-liquor-deaths-in-gujarat-reach-40-nearly-50-still-in-hospital-cops-3197677 |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=NDTV.com |date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727072610/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/toxic-liquor-deaths-in-gujarat-reach-40-nearly-50-still-in-hospital-cops-3197677 |url-status=live }}</ref> The authorities had asked the affected people to not fear prosecution and come forward to seek immediate medical assistance for treatment of methanol poisoning.<ref name="Express 27 July" />

The police said that the actual death toll in the incident would be much more than the reported toll, since many victims died without getting any medical assistance. In one incident 25-year-old man named Bhavesh Chavda was taken to hospital, when his conditioned worsened. He died before he could be admitted into the hospital. The family took his body back home without getting an autopsy conducted and buried him according to the final rites. The FSL team later arrived, exhumed the body and conducted an autopsy before handing the body back to the family.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vaktania |first1=Saurabh |title=Actual death figure in Gujarat hooch tragedy could be higher than govt record: Source |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/actual-death-figure-in-gujarat-hooch-tragedy-could-be-higher-than-govt-record-source-1980813-2022-07-28 |access-date=28 July 2022 |work=India Today |date=28 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728010118/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/actual-death-figure-in-gujarat-hooch-tragedy-could-be-higher-than-govt-record-source-1980813-2022-07-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Investigation==
Three [[First Information Report]] (FIR)s were lodged in the police stations of Barwala and Ranpur in Botad district against 20 people under multiple sections of the [[Indian Penal Code]] (IPC) and the [[Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Act, 2009|Gujarat Prohibition Act]].<ref name="Express 27 July" /><ref name="Wire 27 July">{{cite news |title=Gujarat: 28 Dead, Several Hospitalised After Consuming Spurious Alcohol |url=https://thewire.in/society/gujarat-21-dead-several-hospitalised-after-consuming-spurious-alcohol |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=The Wire |date=26 July 2022 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726112218/https://thewire.in/society/gujarat-21-dead-several-hospitalised-after-consuming-spurious-alcohol |url-status=live }}</ref> The police report said that a bootlegger in Rojid village had told the police that she had purchased 20 litres of methanol for {{INRConvert|2000}}. Police had said that they have seized 475 litres of the chemical and arrested 15 people in the incident.<ref name="Langa" /><ref name="CNN">{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Swati |last2=Mogul |first2=Rhea |title=Dozens dead after drinking bootleg alcohol in western India |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/27/india/india-bootleg-alcohol-deaths-gujarat-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=CNN |date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727070148/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/27/india/india-bootleg-alcohol-deaths-gujarat-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Six people were arrested by the police in the incident.<ref name="Express 27 July" />

The [[First Bhupendrabhai Patel ministry|Home Department of the Government of Gujarat]] had formed a three-member committee, headed by a senior police officer of the rank of [[deputy superintendent of police]] to inquire into the incident and submit a report within three days.<ref name="Langa" /> Gujarat [[Anti-Terrorism Squad|Anti-Terrorist Squad]] (ATS) and the [[Ahmedabad]] crime branch of [[Gujarat Police]] have joined the investigation.<ref name="Express 27 July" />

==Aftermath==
After the incident, the alcohol and drug consumption became a major issue in the [[2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In 'dry' Gujarat, booze, drugs taking centre stage ahead of Assembly polls |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/aug/03/in-dry-gujarat-booze-drugs-taking-centre-stage-ahead-of-assembly-polls-2483566.html |access-date=4 August 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=3 August 2022 |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803091138/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/aug/03/in-dry-gujarat-booze-drugs-taking-centre-stage-ahead-of-assembly-polls-2483566.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Aam Aadmi Party, Gujarat|Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat]] president [[Gopal Italia]] demanded an investigation by [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) in the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi raids: AAP demands CBI probe into hooch tragedy; Sisodia, Kejriwal to visit Gujarat |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/surat/delhi-raids-aap-demands-cbi-probe-into-hooch-tragedy-sisodia-kejriwal-to-visit-gujarat-8102320/ |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=21 August 2022 |language=en |archive-date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827104958/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/surat/delhi-raids-aap-demands-cbi-probe-into-hooch-tragedy-sisodia-kejriwal-to-visit-gujarat-8102320/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Indian National Congress]] demanded a probe by the sitting HC judge in the illegal liquor trade in [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=|first= |date=July 30, 2022 |title=Congress demands judicial probe into Gujarat hooch tragedy |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/congress-demands-judicial-probe-into-gujarat-hooch-tragedy/article65699435.ece |access-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902124449/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/congress-demands-judicial-probe-into-gujarat-hooch-tragedy/article65699435.ece |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2022 |title=Gujarat hooch tragedy: Illicit liquor trade in state, says Congress; demands probe by sitting HC judge |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/jul/29/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-illicit-liquor-trade-in-state-says-congress-demands-probe-by-sitting-hc-judge-2482007.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902124055/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/jul/29/gujarat-hooch-tragedy-illicit-liquor-trade-in-state-says-congress-demands-probe-by-sitting-hc-judge-2482007.html |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> [[Rahul Gandhi]], former president of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party publicly asked, which "ruling forces" are "giving protection to these mafia".<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1552859161574068224|user=RahulGandhi|title=In the 'dry state' Gujarat, many houses were destroyed by drinking spurious liquor. Drugs worth billions are also being recovered there continuously. It is a matter of great concern, on the land of Bapu and Sardar Patel, who are these people who are doing drug business indiscriminately? Which ruling forces are giving protection to these mafia?|author=[[Rahul Gandhi]]|access-date=September 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902143427/https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1552859161574068224|archive-date=September 2, 2022}}</ref> Congress leaders urged Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to speak up on the toxic liquor deaths and meet the bereaved families.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=July 29, 2022 |title=Congress demands judicial probe into Gujarat hooch tragedy |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/congress-demands-judicial-probe-into-gujarat-hooch-tragedy/article65699435.ece |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903041320/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/congress-demands-judicial-probe-into-gujarat-hooch-tragedy/article65699435.ece |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2022 crimes in India|Gujarat]]
[[Category:2020s in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Alcohol-related deaths in India]]
[[Category:July 2022 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:July 2022 in India]]
[[Category:Methanol poisoning incidents]]
[[Category:Crime in Gujarat]]

2022 Gujarat alcohol poisoning - Revision history

Sabari2398 at 20:51, 27 March 2026