A major tragedy unfolded in the Majitha area of Amritsar, Punjab, where 14 people died and six others are in critical condition after consuming spurious liquor. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, affecting five villages, and has prompted swift action from both law enforcement and civil administration.
Key Details:
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The deaths began being reported around 9:30 PM on May 12, following which authorities launched an immediate investigation.
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Prabhjeet Singh, identified as the main supplier, was arrested first. During interrogation, he revealed the name of Sahab Singh, alleged to be the kingpin of the supply chain. Sahab Singh has also been taken into custody.
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Other individuals arrested include:
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Kulbir Singh alias Jaggu, Prabhjeet’s brother
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Sahib Singh alias Sarai, from Mardi Kalan
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Gurjant Singh
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Ninder Kaur, wife of Jeeta from Thirenwal
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Legal Action:
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An FIR (No. 42 dated 13/05/25) has been filed under:
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Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
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Section 61A of the Excise Act
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Police are conducting door-to-door searches to identify anyone who may have consumed the liquor and to provide immediate medical assistance.
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Raids are ongoing to track down other members of the racket and the manufacturers of the illicit alcohol.
Government Response:
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SSP Maninder Singh stated that the Punjab government has issued strict instructions to crack down on the spurious liquor racket.
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Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed that medical teams have been dispatched and are proactively transporting both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals to hospitals to prevent further casualties.
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The government is fully mobilized, offering all necessary assistance to the affected communities.
Background:
This tragedy underscores a recurring issue in parts of India where illicit liquor consumption, often due to its low cost and easy availability, leads to deadly consequences. Spurious liquor is typically laced with toxic chemicals like methanol, which can cause blindness, organ failure, and death.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement, better monitoring of alcohol sales, and greater public awareness to prevent similar occurrences in the future. An in-depth investigation is underway to dismantle the entire supply chain involved in the manufacture and distribution of the fake alcohol.
