BJP leader among 12 dead in Madhya Pradesh liquor tragedy, 54 hospitalised

At least 12 people died in Sagar after consuming suspected spurious liquor, with a BJP functionary among the victims. The case has turned attention to a suspected Lalitpur-based supply network and prompted orders for strict action.The preliminary investigation has reportedly uncovered a suspected network of liquor suppliers based in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur district, which borders Sagar. (Screengrab)At least 12 people have died and 54 hospitalised after consuming suspected spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, including BJP Mandal general secretary Harnam Rai, with post-mortem findings now reportedly pointing to high levels of methanol in the victims’ bodies.Madhya Pradesh Health Minister and Sagar district in-charge minister Rajendra Shukla told Aaj Tak that a large quantity of methanol was found in the bodies of those who died. The development has raised concerns that the liquor consumed by the victims was contaminated with the highly toxic chemical.The victims were residents of different villages in the Bunda-Shahgarh area and reportedly fell ill after consuming alcohol on Saturday night. People from Ghooghar, Naoraj, Baraj and surrounding villages are among those affected.Family members rushed the victims to hospitals after their condition deteriorated. Doctors declared several of them dead, while others were admitted for treatment. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source and distribution of the liquor, while post-mortem examinations are being conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Rai, the BJP Mandal general secretary of Bara Mandal in the Bunda Assembly constituency, reportedly consumed the same suspected spurious liquor before his condition deteriorated. He died while undergoing treatment.On Monday, Shukla visited Rai’s home in Chauka village and met his family. Rai is survived by his wife, two children and his parents.METHANOL FOUND IN VICTIMS' BODIES According to Shukla, post-mortem examinations found significant quantities of methanol in the bodies of those who died.Unlike regular alcoholic beverages, which contain ethanol, methanol is a highly toxic chemical that can cause severe poisoning. Once consumed, it is metabolised into toxic substances that can cause serious damage, particularly to the eyes and nervous system.Methanol poisoning can lead to blurred vision, vomiting, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, coma and, in severe cases, death.Shukla said the suspected racket may have been driven by the desire to sell cheap liquor while making higher profits. According to him, a liquor case worth around Rs 2,200 could potentially be sold for about Rs 700 after methanol was mixed into it, bringing down the cost significantly.The minister's remarks have raised concerns over the extent to which toxic chemicals may have been used to manufacture counterfeit liquor and the role of profit in the suspected racket.UP LIQUOR RACKET UNDER SCANNERThe preliminary investigation has reportedly uncovered a suspected network of liquor suppliers based in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur district, which borders Sagar.India Today has accessed a copy of an FIR registered by Lalitpur Police in May 2026, in which a gang allegedly involved in supplying illegal liquor to Madhya Pradesh was caught.According to the investigation and statements recorded by Lalitpur Police, the accused admitted to manufacturing counterfeit liquor in Lalitpur and supplying it to villages in Sagar’s border areas.The suspects allegedly prepared fake liquor to resemble genuine alcohol using counterfeit labels and caps. They also reportedly placed fake QR codes on the bottles before transporting them to different locations using cars and motorcycles.The network is suspected of supplying counterfeit liquor to villages including Bandri, Barodia, Ghooghara Khurd, Naoraj and Baraj, among other areas of Sagar district.Police are now investigating how the liquor was transported from Lalitpur to Sagar, who was involved in its distribution and whether local individuals were helping the racket. Raids are being conducted to identify and arrest suspects linked to the network.QUESTIONS OVER ILLEGAL LIQUOR TRADEThe deaths have raised questions over how the suspected illegal liquor network was able to operate in the Bunda-Shahgarh region.Investigators are examining whether the victims consumed liquor from the same source or batch and how widely the suspected counterfeit liquor had been distributed.The Sagar administration has also stepped up inspections of liquor shops and suspected illegal liquor outlets in the affected areas. Senior police and administrative officials are monitoring the situation and questioning affected families and local residents.CM MOHAN YADAV ORDERS STRICT ACTIONMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered a detailed inquiry into the deaths and promised strict action against those responsible.Yadav said he had instructed the concerned minister and officials to immediately visit the affected area and ensure that the matter was investigated thoroughly.Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda also condemned the deaths and said those responsible would not be spared. He said he had obtained detailed information from the district Collector and Superintendent of Police and that the Excise Commissioner was reaching the spot. (Credits: X/Jagdish Devda) The Sagar deaths come amid a series of recent incidents involving suspected spurious liquor in different parts of India.Last month, 13 people died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district after consuming spurious liquor, while more than a dozen others were hospitalised. Police later arrested several accused in the case, with the investigation finding that the liquor contained 38.59 per cent methanol.In Sagar, investigators are now trying to establish whether the suspected methanol-contaminated liquor came from the Lalitpur supply network and identify those involved in its manufacture, transportation and distribution.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 14:58 IST