Hooch tragedy in Kerala: Death toll rises to 26

The death toll in the twin-illicit toddy tragedy in Malappuram district has risen to 26, with one more person, undergoing treatment succumbing, today.

The victim, Neercha Chandrabose, who was under treatment had died at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, sources said.

Twelve people, are still undergoing treatment, in this connection, at the Medical college hospital, sources told PTI.

Director general of police, Jacob Punnoose, after a review meeting with top police officials here, said that the police probe into the tragedy was moving in the right direction.

He said that the probe was handed over to the crime branch since the local body election was scheduled in the state and the local police will be busy with it. The probe will be spread to other parts of the state and outside the state if required, he said.

Meanwhile, a team of Left Democratic Front (LDF) leaders led by its Convener Vaikkom Viswam, visited the houses of the victims of the tragedy. 

The excise commissioner S Subbaiah, who had visited Malappuram couple of days earlier, had said that the preliminary report on the incident would be submitted to the government on September 13.

The preliminary assessment of forensic experts, was that the toddy supplied by the shop in Kuttippuram could have been
mixed with methyl, police said.

Kerala government had announced a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge into the tragedy. 

Eight people, including the key accused Dhravyan have been arrested so far in connection with the tragedy, they said.