Kkasthana at 07:58, 5 May 2026

2026-05-05T07:58:28Z

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{{Short description|Mass poisoning in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox event
| title = 2024 Tamil Nadu alcohol poisoning
| image =
| caption =
| time =
| timezone =
| duration =
| date = {{start date|2024|06|20}}
| venue =
| location = [[Kallakurichi district]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| coordinates =
| also_known_as =
| type = [[Poisoning|Mass poisoning]]
| theme =
| cause = [[Methanol toxicity|Methanol poisoning]] from [[moonshine|hooch]]
| reported deaths = 65
| reported injuries = ~200
| map = {{maplink|frame-align=center|frame=yes|type=point|coord={{coord|11.73815|N|78.96540|E|display=inline,title}}|id=Q2308206|zoom=6}}
| arrests = 3
| suspects =
| accused =
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| trial =
| verdict =
| convictions =
}}

The '''2024 Tamil Nadu alcohol poisoning''' took place in [[Kallakurichi district]] in the [[southern India]]n [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]] on 20 June 2024. Consumption of illegally made [[moonshine|liquor]] resulted in at least 65 deaths and more than 200 injuries.

== Background ==
Illegal home-brewed liquor is consumed in various parts of India due to its cheaper price compared to the commercially available brands. These illicit liquors frequently have additional chemicals added to them such as pesticides or [[methanol]], in order to increase potency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/india-tainted-liquor-bootleg-alcohol-deaths-tamil-nadu-kallakurichi/|title=Tainted liquor kills more than 30 people in India in the country's latest bootleg alcohol tragedy|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|first=Arshad R.|last=Zargar|work=[[CBS News]]|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620141954/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/india-tainted-liquor-bootleg-alcohol-deaths-tamil-nadu-kallakurichi/|url-status=live}}</ref> There had been sporadic incidents of poisoning involving illegal liquor in India in the preceding years. In 2020, at least 120 people had died from consuming illicit liquor in [[2020 Punjab alcohol poisoning|Punjab]] and, in 2022, 30 people died in [[2022 Bihar alcohol poisoning|Bihar]] and 28 died in [[2022 Gujarat alcohol poisoning|Gujarat]] from similar incidents.<ref name="AP">{{cite news|title=Illegally brewed liquor kills at least 34 with dozens hospitalized in southern India |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-tamil-nadu-illicit-liquor-deaths-1ec967d5d76653e71475ca15ac936eed|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|work=[[Associated Press]]|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620053612/https://apnews.com/article/india-tamil-nadu-illicit-liquor-deaths-1ec967d5d76653e71475ca15ac936eed|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Incident ==
On 20 June 2024, an incident of poisoning due to the consumption of [[moonshine|illicit liquor]] occurred in [[Kallakurichi district]] in the [[southern India]]n [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tainted, Illicit Liquor Kills Dozens in India|url=https://time.com/6990126/tamil-nadu-india-deaths-illegal-tainted-alcohol/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-live-updates-june-20/article68311093.ece|title=Kallakurichi hooch tragedy Highlights: Death toll rises to 38, CB-CID begins probe|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620122906/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-live-updates-june-20/article68311093.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-victims-leave-behind-shattered-families/article68311522.ece|title=Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Victims leave behind shattered families, broken dreams|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|first=S.|last=Prasad|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620124115/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-victims-leave-behind-shattered-families/article68311522.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> It resulted in [[vomiting]], [[stomach ache]]s and [[diarrhoea]] due to the presence of [[methanol]] in the liquor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Death toll rises to 54 in India liquor tragedy|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/death-toll-rises-54-india-liquor-tragedy-2024-06-22/|work=Reuters|date=22 June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> At least 58 people died from consumption of tainted liquor and more than 200 people were admitted to hospitals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-57/article68326316.ece|title=Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 58|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=24 June 2024|access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> The injured were treated at various government hospitals in the state and [[Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research|JIPMER]] in [[Puducherry (city)|Puducherry]].<ref name="Frontline"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-deaths-9403614/|title=Toll in Kallakurichi hooch tragedy rises to 34, around 100 in hospitals, 5 critical|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|first=Arun|last=Janardhanan|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620102825/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-deaths-9403614/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 21 June, 28 people were reported to be in critical condition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/death-toll-in-kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-climbs-to-47/article68315188.ece|title=Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Death toll climbs to 47, over 100 others undergoing treatment|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Most of those who died were [[Other Backward Class|economically and socially backward]] [[Dalit]]s from [[Kallakurichi]], and nearby villages.<ref name="Frontline"/>

== Aftermath ==
[[Chief minister of Tamil Nadu]] [[M. K. Stalin]] announced an [[ex gratia]] of {{INRconvert|1|m}} for the family of the deceased and {{INRconvert|50|k}} for the injured.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/national/tn-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-34-cm-announces-rs-10-lakh-compensation/|title=Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 34, CM M.K. Stalin Announces Rs 10 Lakh Compensation|work=[[Lokmat Times]]|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|publisher=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]}}</ref> The [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] issued orders for the transfer of then [[District Collector]] of Kallakurichi and the appointment of a new collector. It also ordered the suspension of the [[Superintendent of Police]] and ten members of the [[Tamil Nadu Police|state police]]'s [[alcohol prohibition|prohibition]] enforcement wing for negligence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mollan|first1=Cherylann|title=Tamil Nadu: At least 34 dead after drinking toxic alcohol|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd117j4nplzo|work=[[BBC]]|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="Frontline">{{cite news|last1=Rajasekaran|first1=Ilangovan|title=Kallakurichi Methanol Hooch Tragedy: Exposing the Deadly Nexus of Bootleggers and Lax Enforcement |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-nexus-of-bootleggers-and-lax-enforcement/article68313030.ece/|work=Frontline|date=20 June 2024|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
On 21 June 2024, the government appointed a one-man commission headed by former [[Madras High Court]] judge B. Gokuldas to investigate the incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-deaths-justice-gokuldas-commission-to-submit-report-in-three-months|title=Kallakurichi deaths: Justice Gokuldas Commission to submit report in three months|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|work=[[The News Minute]]|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620081823/https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-deaths-justice-gokuldas-commission-to-submit-report-in-three-months|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-38-stalin-orders-judicial-probe/articleshow/111154126.cms|title=Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 38; Stalin orders judicial probe|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> On the same day, three people were arrested in connection with the case and were incarcerated at [[Cuddalore Central Prison]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2024/06/21/tamil-nadu-hooch-tragedy-liquor-arrest-death-toll.html|title=Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy: Prime accused arrested; death toll rises to 50|work=Onmanorama|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref>

== Reaction ==
[[List of governors of Tamil Nadu|Governor of Tamil Nadu]] [[R. N. Ravi]] expressed shock over the incident and offered his condolences.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-governor-rn-ravi-condoles-death-of-kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-victims/article68309221.ece|title=T.N. Governor R.N. Ravi condoles death of Kallakurichi hooch tragedy victims|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|archive-date=21 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621132006/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-governor-rn-ravi-condoles-death-of-kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-victims/article68309221.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Leader of opposition]] [[Edappadi K Palaniswami]], [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] state president [[:ta:அண்ணாமலை குப்புசாமி|K. Annamalai]] and [[Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam]] president [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] criticised the government for the tragedy and demanded the resignation of the ministers concerned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-29-aiadmk-demands-cm-stalins-resignation/3529560/|title=Tamil Nadu Hooch tragedy: Death toll rises to 29, AIADMK demands CM Stalin's resignation|newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620091027/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-rises-to-29-aiadmk-demands-cm-stalins-resignation/3529560/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-hooch-tragedy-annamalai-announces-state-wide-protest-on-june-22-899954|title=Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: Annamalai Announces State-wide Protest on June 22|publisher=Deccan Chronicle|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|archive-date=21 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621132123/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-hooch-tragedy-annamalai-announces-state-wide-protest-on-june-22-899954|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-bjp-announces-state-wide-protest-against-ruling-dmk-government-on-june-22/article68310980.ece|title=Tamil Nadu's illicit liquor case: BJP announces State-wide protest against ruling DMK government on June 22|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620085231/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-bjp-announces-state-wide-protest-against-ruling-dmk-government-on-june-22/article68310980.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/shocking-and-heartbreaking-actor-vijay-mourns-loss-of-34-lives-in-kallakurichi-hooch-incident-ajr-sfdb0w|title='Shocking and heartbreaking': Actor Vijay mourns loss of 34 lives in Kallakurichi hooch incident|work=[[Asianet News]]|date=20 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024|archive-date=20 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620090158/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/shocking-and-heartbreaking-actor-vijay-mourns-loss-of-34-lives-in-kallakurichi-hooch-incident-ajr-sfdb0w|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Opposition (politics)|opposition]] also demanded a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]]-led inquiry of the incident.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: Death toll rises to 47; demand for CBI enquiry, ruckus in Tamil Nadu Assembly - 10 Key points|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kallakurichi-hooch-tragedy-death-toll-aiadmk-ruckus-in-assembly-tamil-nadu-bjp-chief-k-annamalai-cbi-enquiry-11718962936878.html|work=Livemint|date=21 June 2024|access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of methanol poisoning incidents]]
*[[List of alcohol poisonings in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Disasters in India in 2024}}
{{Alcohol in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tamil Nadu alcohol poisoning, 2024}}
[[Category:2024 crimes in India]]
[[Category:2024 health disasters]]
[[Category:2024 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2020s in Tamil Nadu|Alcohol poisoning]]
[[Category:June 2024 in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Tamil Nadu|2024 alcohol poisoning]]
[[Category:Alcohol-related deaths in India]]
[[Category:Adulteration]]
[[Category:Deaths by poisoning]]
[[Category:Methanol poisoning incidents]]
[[Category:Mass poisonings]]
[[Category:Kallakurichi district]]

2024 Tamil Nadu alcohol poisoning - Revision history

Kkasthana at 07:58, 5 May 2026