Mumbai illicit liquor tragedy soars to 81

Mumbai: 81 people have been confirmed dead after consuming spurious liquor at the Laxmi Nagar slum here in Malwani in Mumbai.

This is the second biggest hooch tragedy in over a decade. 87 people had died after consuming spurious liquor in suburban Vikhroli in 2004.

Police said they have taken into custody two more persons identified as Fransis Thomas Demalo (46) and Salim Mahboob Shaikh (39), both residents of nearby area where spurious liquor was sold taking the total number of arrests to five.

Earlier, police had arrested three persons in this connection — Raju Hanmanta Pascar (50), Donald Robert Patel (47) and Gautam Harte (30) who were produced before a local court which remanded them in police custody till June 26.

The incident occurred at Laxmi Nagar slum near Gamdevi Jurassic park in suburban Malad on Wednesday night and the victims started showing symptoms soon after.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the accident.