Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: 39 Dead, 100 Hospitalized from Methanol-Tainted Arrack; CM Orders Probe

Jun 20, 2024, 06:16 AM

The death toll from the illicit liquor tragedy in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district has risen to 39, with 100 others hospitalized. The incident involved the consumption of methanol-tainted arrack, leading to severe health consequences. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has ordered a comprehensive investigation by the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) and announced an ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those undergoing treatment. He also constituted a one-man commission headed by retired Madras High Court Judge B. Gokuldas to probe the incident. The district collector has been transferred, and the superintendent of police has been suspended. Political leaders, including BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, have criticized the DMK government for its alleged incompetence in curbing the production and sale of illicit liquor. The Madras High Court has agreed to hear public interest litigations seeking a CBI probe into the tragedy.