Human rights panel seeks report on Telangana’s toddy deaths

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Human Rights Commission on Thursday directed the principal secretary, revenue (prohibition & excise) department, to submit a comprehensive report by Aug 20 on the adulterated toddy incident, which allegedly resulted in five deaths and hospitalisation of many more.

The commission had received a complaint alleging that 15 persons fell ill and four persons died after consuming adulterated toddy in Kukatpally.

It directed officials to conduct factual verification of the incident, including the number of deaths and persons affected, and submit details of the action. This includes any departmental enquiry, arrests made, shops sealed, or action initiated against erring officials and preventive mechanisms in place to regulate toddy tapping and distribution. The aim is to monitor and curb adulteration of toddy to avoid recurrence of such incidents.