19 August,2026 02:57 PM IST | Bhavnagar | mid-day online correspondent
A team from the forensic science laboratory (FSL) was involved in the scientific investigation. Representational pic
Two people have died and 19 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, officials said on Wednesday.
Four bootleggers have been detained in connection with the incident, officials told news agency PTI.
Gujarat is a âdry' state where the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol are banned.
Bhavnagar Collector Manish Kumar said the victims had consumed liquor from duplicate bottles of an Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Nitesh Pandey informed that a group of people consumed liquor from a "duplicate" bottle of an IMFL brand at Kharakdi village a few days ago, following which their health deteriorated.
One man subsequently died, while six others were admitted to various hospitals in Bhavnagar for treatment, he said.
Another person died in suspicious circumstances at Sir T Hospital, and the exact cause of his death was being verified, Nilam Bagh Police Station Inspector DP Udankat stated.
Bootleggers from Vartej and other police station areas in the city have been detained, SP Pandey told reporters.
"Upendrasinh Gohil, a resident of Kharakdi village, died at Sir T Hospital (government hospital at Bhavnagar). Six other persons are admitted to Sir T and two-three other hospitals in the city and are undergoing treatment," he said.
Medical examination of the affected people showed a common pattern, with most of them having consumed alcohol from duplicate liquor bottles before their health deteriorated, the official said.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the bottles were supplied from Madhya Pradesh. Further investigation was underway to determine where exactly they were brought from, how they were produced and who supplied them, he said.
"After enquiring with these people, we deputed different police teams that used technical surveillance and human assistance to detain four bootleggers who were part of the supply chain of the duplicate IMFL brand bottles. Further legal action is underway," he said.
Police have seized several bottles of the same brand from those detained and are making efforts to apprehend other bootleggers allegedly involved in the supply of spurious liquor, the official said.
A team from the forensic science laboratory (FSL) was also involved in the scientific investigation, he added.
The SP appealed to people who had consumed alcohol from duplicate liquor bottles to consult a doctor even if they had not experienced any adverse health effects.
(With PTI inputs)
