CHENNAI:
The Justice B Gokuldas Commission has blamed an alleged nexus between illicit liquor sellers and police officials, along with a lack of coordination among government departments, for contributing to the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that claimed 70 lives in June 2024. The 484-page final report was tabled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday.
The commission said more than 231 people consumed illegally brewed liquor, allegedly mixed with methanol, between June 17 and 20, 2024, in areas under the Kallakurichi, Sankarapuram and Kachirapalayam police station limits. While 70 people died, 161 others fell ill. The panel examined 433 witnesses, including 157 survivors and 69 relatives of those who died.
The report pointed to alleged corruption and collusion at the local level, stating that village welfare committees in Seshachamuthiram, Madhavacheri, Sankarapuram and Kachirapalayam were involved in the alleged auctioning of contracts for selling illicit liquor. It also said continuous monitoring by Prohibition and Excise officials could have exposed the illegal possession and sale of methanol.
The commission recommended dismantling the alleged nexus between illicit liquor sellers and police officials and taking action against officials who failed to discharge their duties. It called for strict enforcement of the Prohibition Act and a phased reduction in liquor sales with the eventual objective of complete prohibition.
The panel also linked the tragedy to the lack of industrial development and employment opportunities in Kallakurichi, noting that sections of the population who lost livelihoods when agricultural work was unavailable turned to alcohol. Among its recommendations were additional assistance to affected families, setting up industries in the district, regulating methanol more strictly, allowing natural toddy sales, reducing IMFL prices and changing TASMAC operating hours.