At least 34 people died and nearly 100 were hospitalized on Wednesday, officials said Thursday. The death toll is expected to rise. Four people were arrested.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock at the death and said action has been taken against the officials responsible for not preventing the incident.
In his column in X, MK Stalin expressed shock and grief at the death of people who drank adulterated alcohol in Kallakurichi.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of the death of people who drank alcohol in Kallakurichi. The people involved in the crime have been arrested in this case. Action is taken against the officials who failed to prevent it. Immediate action will be taken if the public reports the people involved in the such crimes. “Such crimes that destroy society will be dealt with with an iron hand,” he said.
Supporters of the opposition AIADMK on Thursday asked the Madrasa High Court to hear an urgent petition on the liquor case. A division bench comprising Justices D Krishnakumar and K Kumaresh Babu agreed to hear the matter on June 21.
Stalin led a thorough investigation by the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID). According to a statement, the Tamil Nadu government has replaced Kallakurichi District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatawat and dismissed Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Mena. In addition, nine other police officers along with personnel of the Kallakurichi Prohibition Wing have been dismissed.
Kallakurichi District New Collector MS Prasanth visited the patients treated at the Government Medical College Hospital. Rajath Chaturvedi has been appointed as the Superintendent of Police of the new district.
Stalin sent senior ministers EV Velu and Ma Subramania to Kallakurichi to help the affected families.
Governor RN Ravi condoled the bereaved and wished them a speedy recovery.
Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan shared a post saying, “Shocked to know that many people have died due to drinking spurious alcohol in Kallakurichi. Many others are desperately fighting for their lives. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families and speedy recovery to those hospitalized.”
“From time to time, there are reports of people dying due to the consumption of fake alcohol from some parts of our country. It points to continuing deficiencies in preventing the illicit production and consumption of alcohol. This is a serious concern,” he said.
