The death toll from toxic alcohol consumption in northern Punjab, India, has reportedly reached at least 23, with approximately eight others hospitalized in severe condition after ingesting locally produced spurious liquor, officials confirmed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Police apprehended seven individuals accused of supplying the tainted alcohol to five villages approximately 12 miles from Amritsar in northern Punjab, as reported by senior police officer Maninder Singh.
Authorities have started an intensive crackdown on the illegal liquor supply network in the region in response to the deadly incident.
Sakshi Sawhney, a senior government official in Amritsar, stated that medical teams have been dispatched to the affected villages to assess residents who might have consumed the toxic alcohol. Healthcare workers are conducting door-to-door visits to identify and transport symptomatic individuals to hospitals to prevent further deaths.
Updated reports indicate nine individuals have been detained, including the alleged supplier and ringleader of the operation. The local government has suspended four officers for dereliction of duty and launched departmental inquiries against those found negligent.
Initial investigations revealed that victims consumed liquor from a single source on Sunday evening, May 11, with the first fatalities reported on Monday. The death toll has continued to rise as more individuals have died from the toxic effects.
A senior police officer noted that those detained had acquired methanol online, diluted it, and distributed it to sellers, who then sold the contaminated drink in packets to unsuspecting consumers.
“The police have launched a crackdown to destroy the network of spurious liquor supplies in the area following the incident,” Singh said.
Deaths caused by the consumption of illicit, contaminated alcohol remain a persistent issue across India, particularly in rural areas where poverty drives consumers to cheaper alternatives despite significant health risks.
This tragic incident in Punjab follows a similar event in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state, where at least 34 people died and over 100 were hospitalized after consuming alcohol laced with poisonous methanol in Kallakurichi district.
In 2020, spurious liquor resulted in more than 120 fatalities in Punjab, highlighting the ongoing challenge authorities face in combating the illegal trade.
Deaths from bootleg liquor are often linked to the addition of toxic chemicals like methanol, which producers use to increase alcohol content and potency while keeping costs low. The illicit liquor industry is highly profitable as manufacturers avoid taxation and sell their products at reduced prices compared to regulated brands.
The issue of toxic liquor reflects what experts describe as a complex socio-economic problem rooted in poverty and the demand for affordable alcohol. Many victims are day laborers and others with limited incomes who cannot afford licensed alcohol brands.
Two businessmen from Delhi have been arrested in connection with the Punjab incident, suspected of supplying methanol in bulk via online channels, which was then used in the production of the deadly alcohol.
Family members of victims have been devastated by the losses. Local media displayed images of grieving relatives at hospitals and in villages as they received news of loved ones who had fallen victim to the poisoned alcohol.
Similar incidents have occurred in other Indian states, including Bihar and Gujarat, where dozens have died from drinking tainted or illegally brewed alcohol in recent years.
Enforcement challenges remain significant as the production and distribution networks for illicit alcohol often operate in remote areas with limited regulatory oversight. Local authorities frequently uncover operations only after casualties begin to rise.
Health officials note that methanol poisoning can cause blindness, severe organ damage, and death even in relatively small amounts when consumed. Symptoms typically appear hours after ingestion, making rapid medical intervention critical for survival.
In an unrelated case highlighting the broader problem of illegal alcohol in India, authorities in 2024 uncovered a spurious liquor supply network involving ex-servicemen operating from Karnataka. The operation involved selling fake liquor branded as “liquor from military” with counterfeit labels. Police arrested 14 suspects and seized over 2,400 bottles in that case.
As medical teams continue their work in the affected Punjab villages, authorities are simultaneously working to cut the supply of illegal liquor while implementing longer-term interventions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
