9 killed after consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar

Nine people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar. The victims were residents of different villages and reportedly fell ill after drinking alcohol on Saturday night.According to preliminary information, people from Ghooghar, Naoraj, Baraj and surrounding areas had consumed liquor on Saturday night.Their condition deteriorated soon after, following which family members rushed them to hospital for treatment.However, doctors at the hospital declared them dead. While poisonous liquor is being suspected as a possible cause, authorities have not yet officially confirmed that the deaths were caused by alcohol poisoning.Police said the exact cause will be established after post-mortem examinations.POST-MORTEM TO ESTABLISH CAUSE OF DEATHS Investigators are gathering information from the affected families and local residents as part of the probe. Authorities are also expected to examine the liquor consumed by the victims and trace its source.The incident has raised concerns over the possible distribution and consumption of illegally produced or spurious liquor in the area. Police are investigating whether the deaths are connected and whether any illegal liquor network was involved.The administration has not ruled out the possibility of more casualties, as officials continue to assess the situation and gather details.The Sagar deaths come amid recent cases of suspected spurious liquor consumption in other states.Last month, 13 people died in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, while more than a dozen others were hospitalised.Officials had said four suspected illegal liquor sellers were detained in connection with the case.According to authorities, the victims had consumed liquor belonging to a popular Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand.Police arrested 13 of the 21 accused and charged them with offences including culpable homicide and poisoning.The investigation found that the liquor contained 38.59% methanol.Gujarat is a prohibition state, where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are prohibited, subject to limited exceptions under the law.- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 6, 2026 09:30 IST