Five die, 4 fall ill in Saran dist; hooch suspected

Patna: At least five people have died and four others are battling for their lives in Saran district since March 11 after allegedly consuming spurious liquor. While the district administration attributed the deaths to various causes, locals and family members blamed illicit liquor.

Raghuvir Mahto, a resident of Purab Tola in the Mashrak police station area, died during treatment on March 13. It was said that he was also accused of selling liquor. Earlier, on March 11, Santosh Mahto, son of Chandrama Mahto from the Mashrak area, also died. The administration termed it a death due to illness, while family members said he had returned home after consuming liquor.

Fifty-year-old Sukan Nat, a resident of Dhenuki village in the Panapur police station area, also died under suspicious circumstances on March 12. The administration described it as a normal death. Meanwhile, 42-year-old Dharmendra Rai, a resident of Dubauli village in the same police station area, died during treatment on March 12. Family members alleged that his death was caused by consuming spurious liquor.

In Dharmendra’s case, police also expressed suspicion of spurious liquor consumption and began an investigation.

According to local sources, several other people also fell ill after consuming liquor and are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

Pankaj Kumar Singh, son of late Umesh Singh, and Raghuvir Mahto, son of Parshuram Mahto, both residents of Purab Tola in the Mashrak police station area, died on March 13. Raghuvir died after he was arrested by police on charges of selling liquor.

When asked about the matter, Saran DM Vaibhav Shrivastav said, “So far, there was no official confirmation of anyone'’ death due to spurious liquor. Santosh’s death was caused by illness, while Dharmendra died during treatment in Patna.”

The DM said family members were claiming that the deceased had consumed something like liquor. A post-mortem was conducted and the viscera preserved for forensic examination. The actual cause of death can only be determined after the report arrives. The administration appealed to people to immediately seek hospital treatment if anyone falls ill at home.