Over the past 2 days 41 people have died in three different areas of Punjab after allegedly consuming artificial liquor. According to police they have arrested eight people in the case.
Police recovered large quantities of fake liquor drums and cans from the culprit.
The fake liquor has beeen sent to a lab to look at its chemical composition.
Balwinder Kaur and Mithu were arrested from Amritsar and two people identified as Darshan Rani and Rajan were arrested from Batala district.
Four others — Kashmir Singh, Angrez Singh, Amarjit and Baljit — were arrested from Tarn Taran. An FIR has been registered under Sections 304, 307 and 120 of the Indian Penal Code.
As of Friday night, 10 people had passed away due to consuming the fake liquor, 10 in rural Amritsar, nine in Batala and 19 in Tarn Taran.
According to the police, the questioning of the accused could lead to further arrests.
A statement released by the government states Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered a judicial inquiry by Divisional Commissione in Jalandha to investigate the suspicious deaths in Amritsar, Batala and Tarn Taran districts.
I have ordered a magisterial enquiry into suspected spurious liquor deaths in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran. Commissioner, Jalandhar Division will conduct the enquiry and coordinate with concerned SSPs and other officers. Anyone found guilty will not be spared.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 31, 2020
The inquiry summoned by the Chief Minister would look into the facts and circumstances leading to the incidents. It will be conducted by Divisional Commissioner of Jalandhar, along with Joint Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Punjab, and Superintendent of Police of the concerned districts.
Captain Singh also directed the police to launch a search operation to crack down on any spurious liquor manufacturing units that may be operating in the State.