One dead, 15 fall ill after consuming spurious toddy in Kukatpally

Hyderabad: One person died, and 15 others are undergoing treatment after consuming spurious toddy in Kukatpally on Tuesday.  The deceased has been identified as Sitaram (47), a resident of Sai Charan Colony in HMT Hills. He died while receiving treatment at Gandhi Hospital on Wednesday.

Fifteen others affected by the incident are being treated at NIMS Hospital in Punjagutta. Meanwhile, Balnagar Excise Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the sale of spurious liquor. Police have registered cases against them and initiated interrogation.

Government Response and Minister’s Visit

Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao visited the victims at NIMS Hospital and said the government acted swiftly after the incident.

“Victims were immediately shifted to NIMS, and their condition is now stable due to timely medical attention. All of them show similar symptoms. It is initially believed that the illness was caused by consuming fake liquor. We have arrested the accused and seized their shops. Liquor samples have been sent to the Excise Chemical Laboratory and victims’ samples to the Forensic Lab,” he said.

The minister assured that based on the reports, criminal action would be taken against those responsible. “Licenses of the concerned depots will be cancelled. I’ve instructed officials to deploy special teams to monitor liquor depots continuously,” he added.

 MP Etala Rajender Demands Accountability

MP Etala Rajender and local leader Vaddapalli Rajeshwar Rao also visited the victims at NIMS Hospital. Rajender said the victims are mostly daily wage workers. “After consuming fake liquor, several people became seriously ill. Seven are in critical condition at Gandhi Hospital, and 15 are being treated at NIMS. Many have suffered kidney failure,” he said.

He demanded that the government provide free treatment to all the victims and compensate deceased victim’s family with ₹1 crore. He also criticised the state for failing to regulate the sale of spurious liquor.

“The excise department is more focused on increasing revenue, which has risen from ₹10,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore. But they are not addressing the ground realities. There is visible negligence by officials. A thorough investigation is necessary,” he said.