Seven people have lost their lives in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, after consuming contaminated liquor containing high levels of methanol. Authorities have issued an urgent warning regarding a specific bottle barcode.
- Seven fatalities reported in Bhavnagar due to toxic liquor consumption.
- Forensic reports confirm 38.59% methanol content in the drink.
- Public alert issued for bottles with barcode 8901522000665.
- Police have named 21 accused, with 13 arrests made so far.
In a grim development from the 'dry state' of Gujarat, seven individuals have succumbed to poisoning after consuming illicit, contaminated liquor in the Bhavnagar district. In an ironic twist for a state under prohibition, the State Monitoring Cell has had to issue a public safety warning specifically targeting a particular brand of whisky identified by a unique barcode.
The forensic investigation has uncovered a lethal reality: the liquid consumed by the victims contained a staggering 38.59 per cent methanol. Methanol is a highly toxic industrial chemical that is strictly prohibited in any form of human-grade alcoholic beverage. The presence of such high concentrations explains the rapid and fatal onset of symptoms among the victims.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the prohibition laws in Gujarat inadvertently fuel a high-stakes, unregulated black market. When illicit distillers bypass safety protocols and use industrial-grade chemicals like methanol to increase potency or reduce costs, the result is not just a violation of law, but a mass casualty event that overwhelms local healthcare systems.
The transition from illegal brewing to mass poisoning occurs when profit motives override the rudimentary understanding of chemical toxicity.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the tragedy was orchestrated by a gang led by Gujarat-based bootlegger Gautam Solanki. The investigation reveals a coordinated effort involving accomplices from Madhya Pradesh to procure raw materials from Ahmedabad and transport them to Bhavnagar. The FIR suggests that after a failed second batch of liquor, the group intentionally utilized methanol to produce a third batch, which was then distributed through various bootlegging channels.
The deceased have been identified as Upendrasinh Chandrasinh Gohil, Kartik Ashwin Makwana, Ghanshyamsinh Jaypalsinh Jadeja, Kanaksinh Hanubha Gohil, Narendrasinh Yadav (alias Doctor), Jay Jitu Bhatti, and Hitesh Dileep Parmar. Law enforcement has moved swiftly, naming 21 individuals in the case and securing the arrest of 13 suspects to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the specific barcode mentioned in the warning?
The authorities have warned against bottles bearing the barcode 8901522000665.
2. What was found in the liquor during forensic testing?
Forensic labs found that the liquor contained 38.59% methanol, a deadly toxin.
