10 Dead, Several Ill After Drinking Spurious Liquor in UP's Barabanki; 10 Excise Officials Suspended

Barabanki: At least 10 people, including four of a family, died on Monday night after consuming spurious liquor in Ramnagar area of Barabanki district.

Several others have been admitted in the Barabanki district hospital after their situation was critical. The locals belonging to Raniganj and adjoining villages consumed liquor on Monday night and were rushed to Ramnagar Community Health Centre (CHC) soon after.

Taking serious note of the incident, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry and directed senior officials to take stern action against all those found guilty.

The police said ten died after consuming liquor purchased from a shop belonging to one Ranvir Singh near Ramnagar. Three teams have been constituted to nab the culprits and the liquor shop has reportedly been sealed. Till now, 10 excise personnel have been suspended.

The Excise Minister told the media that the district excise officer, inspector and three head constables, along with five other cops of the excise department have been suspended. “It is a very sad incident. Apart from making the necessary suspensions, the excise commissioner, joint and deputy commissioners have rushed to the spot and further investigation is underway,” he added.

Earlier this year, the menace of spurious liquor had claimed 38 lives in Saharanpur, nine lives in Kushinagar and nine lives in Kanpur. In 2018, nine people had died after consuming adulterated alcohol in Barabanki district.