The investigation into the Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy has widened, with police arresting 13 more people and taking the total number of arrests to 27. Investigators are now focusing on how methanol and other chemicals were sourced, transported and supplied before being used to make the toxic liquor.
The latest arrests came after police questioned the 14 people arrested earlier. Their statements reportedly provided important clues about the wider network involved in procuring raw materials and distributing the illicit liquor.
13 More Arrested, Total Reaches 27
The 13 accused arrested on August 23 were produced before a court, which remanded them to police custody until September 2.
The case was registered at Vartej police station after deaths initially recorded as accidental were later linked to the consumption of methanol-laced liquor. A total of 21 accused were initially booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
With the latest arrests, the number of people arrested in connection with the case has now risen to 27.
Questioning Helps Police Trace Raw Material
Following directions from Gujarat DGP G.S. Malik, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) formed 16 teams to investigate the source of methanol and other chemicals used in the toxic liquor.
The teams were deployed across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and several districts of Gujarat.
The investigation is aimed at identifying the people who supplied the chemicals, the transporters who moved them and the vendors involved in the supply chain.
Police said questioning the 14 accused arrested earlier helped investigators obtain crucial information about the procurement of raw materials, manufacturing of the toxic liquor and its subsequent distribution.
Probe Leads to Madhya Pradesh
One of the arrested accused is reportedly a resident of Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. Police said the man was brought from Ujjain and allegedly played an important role in the conspiracy to manufacture the toxic liquor.
Investigators are now examining his alleged links with the procurement and movement of the chemicals used in the illegal liquor.
Police are also trying to establish the complete route through which the raw materials reached Gujarat.
12 More Accused Linked to Local Network
According to police, the other 12 accused are residents of Bhavnagar city and Ghogha taluka.
Investigators suspect that these individuals were involved at different stages of the operation, including procuring, storing, supplying and selling the spurious liquor.
With 27 people now arrested, the SMC is continuing its investigation into the wider network behind the tragedy.
Tracking Methanol Movement
A major focus of the investigation is to determine how methanol and other chemicals were transported into Gujarat.
Police teams are examining the role of transporters and intermediaries, while also checking whether the same network may have supplied chemicals for similar illegal activities elsewhere.
The investigation is therefore moving beyond the people directly involved in making or selling the liquor to those who allegedly helped bring the dangerous raw materials into the state.
Investigation Continues Across Multiple States
Officials are now working to establish the complete supply chain—from the source of methanol and other chemicals to their transportation, storage, manufacture of the illicit liquor and final distribution.
The multi-state investigation is expected to reveal whether the Bhavnagar tragedy was the result of an isolated operation or part of a larger network involved in the illegal supply of methanol and spurious liquor.
With the death toll linked to the toxic liquor standing at 13, authorities are continuing efforts to identify every person involved and determine their exact role in the tragedy.
Also Read: Bhavnagar Liquor Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 9, Surat Man Declared Brain Dead https://www.vibesofindia.com/bhavnagar-methanol-liquor-tragedy-death-toll-9-surat-man-brain-dead/
