Notorious bootlegger Jagnu Shahi of Malihabad on the outskirts of Lucknow has been arrested. But any action against him cannot bring back the lives of as many as 32 people who have so far succumbed to his lethal brand of locally brewed country liquor. Almost 200 people have been hospitalised since Monday, many of them fighting a losing battle for their lives.
Notorious bootlegger Jagnu Shahi of Malihabad on the outskirts of Lucknow has been arrested. But any action against him cannot bring back the lives of as many as 32 people who have so far succumbed to his lethal brand of locally brewed country liquor. Almost 200 people have been hospitalised since Monday, many of them fighting a losing battle for their lives.
The tragedy has placed the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in the dock as he holds the excise portfolio. Buffeted by the adverse media reports, the CM ordered suspension of as many as 23 officers, including police and excise officials. Joint excise commissioner SK Tiwari is among those suspended.
The 26 people who have died in Malihabad, which is part of Lucknow district, include 20 of a single village where Jagnu Shahi's tavern was a big draw for people from several adjoining villages. The other six who died belonged to neighbouring Unnao. Official sources have so far confirmed 29 deaths.
The dead include Jagnu's younger brother and daughter. His two sons have also been arrested. However, his wife, Nathunia, who used to serve liquor with a "personal touch", is absconding. Police officials say people who came from other districts to Jagnu's watering hole were drawn as much by the strong and rather affordable hooch as by Nathunia's charming frolics as a bar woman.
"Jagnu's bar was one of the rare places where you could drink on credit," quipped a police official. "On Sunday night (when the tragedy struck), it was horribly cold, and Jagnu took full advantage of the situation. He gave lucrative offers and discounts for those getting drunk and wanting more," he added. This only increased the death toll.
A government spokesman said a state-wide drive had been launched against hooch producers. A number of arrests have been made and hundreds of litres of spurious liquor seized already, he added.
Meanwhile, Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who landed here on Tuesday, said that state government should thoroughly probe the deaths and initiate strict action against those found guilty. He has asked for a detailed report on the incident.
The hooch tragedy occurred in Kharta and other villages in Malihabad area of Lucknow and Talasarai village in Hasanganj area of Unnao district on Monday.
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