In a devastating incident, over a dozen people died and at least six others are battling for their lives after consuming illicit liquor laced with methanol in Kallakurichi. The tragedy, which unfolded on Wednesday, led to immediate administrative and law enforcement actions, including the removal of the district Collector and the suspension of the Superintendent of Police (SP) and several lower-level officials.Chief Minister MK Stalin, reacting swiftly to the incident, ordered the transfer of the case to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID). He assured the public that such heinous crimes would be dealt with severely, promising stringent action against those responsible.
Several victims in critical condition were transported to Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry and the government hospital in Salem for advanced medical care. In connection with the tragedy, a man identified as K. Kannukutti, who allegedly sold the tainted arrack, was arrested.
A government statement indicated that preliminary investigations by the police and revenue department suggested that the victims had consumed arrack. Approximately 200 liters of the seized arrack were found to contain methanol. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The victims, all residents of Karunapuram colony, experienced symptoms such as nausea and stomach ache after consuming the illicit liquor. They were admitted to Kallakurichi Government Medical College Hospital. Tragically, Praveenkumar (26) succumbed to his symptoms around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by the deaths of Suresh (40) and Sekar (59) while undergoing treatment.
In response to the incident, Collector Shravankumar Jatawat was replaced by M.S. Prashanth. Kallakurichi SP Samay Singh Meena was suspended and replaced by Rajat Chaturvedi. Additionally, several police officials, including Kallakurichi Prohibition Enforcement Wing (PEW) DSP Tamilselvan, PEW Inspector Kavitha, Tirukovilur PEW Inspector Pandiselvi, and Tirukovilur Inspector Ananthan, were suspended for their roles in the aftermath of the hooch tragedy.
The government and local authorities have vowed to take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future and to bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice.