Hooch toll 23, Punjab flags methanol misuse

WHILE the death toll in the Amritsar hooch tragedy rose to 23 after two more people died on Wednesday, the Punjab Police has arrested two traders from Delhi for supplying raw materials used in the manufacture of illicit liquor, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 15.

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

Amritsar Rural police arrested Ravinder Jain and Rishabh Jain from the national capital for supplying raw material to one of the main accused, Sahib Singh, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said, adding that an FIR has been registered under provisions of the BNS and the Excise Act, and further probe is underway.

Sources privy to the developments said, probe has revealed that methanol was procured in bulk to prepare the toxic brew.

Methanol, highly poisonous if ingested, is often used as an alternative to ethanol (consumable alcohol) in illegal liquor brewing, as it is cheaper.