The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that at least nine people died and 39 others were hospitalised in critical condition after allegedly consuming spurious Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat. The apex human rights body has issued notices to the Gujarat Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

What the NHRC Has Demanded

Observing that the reported facts, if true, raise serious human rights violations, the NHRC has asked for a comprehensive account covering the updated death toll and condition of hospitalised victims, the status of the ongoing investigation, and steps taken to trace the entire supply chain of methanol and other raw materials used in the manufacture of the poisonous liquor.

The commission has also sought details of departmental action initiated against suspended police personnel and other erring officials, alongside information on relief, compensation, and medical assistance extended to the families of the deceased and survivors. Long-term measures being implemented to strengthen enforcement of Gujarat's prohibition law must also be included in the report, the NHRC said.

How the Racket Was Uncovered

According to reports, the illicit liquor was allegedly spiked with a high concentration of methanol and sold in counterfeit bottles bearing the label of a popular brand. The racket came to light during an investigation into the accidental death of a police recruit — an entry point that exposed a far wider conspiracy.

Police subsequently uncovered a large manufacturing setup and seized chemicals, colouring agents, ready-filled counterfeit liquor bottles, fake branded stickers, sticker rolls, bottle caps, and cardboard packaging material. The scale of the seizure points to an organised, multi-node operation rather than a localised incident.

Arrests: 27 Accused in Custody

The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has arrested 13 more people in connection with the case, bringing the total number of accused in custody to 27. The latest arrests were made after interrogation of the 14 previously arrested accused helped investigators identify the source of raw materials, the manufacturing process, and those allegedly involved in sale and distribution.

Among the newly arrested is Anand Chhandi, a resident of Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, who was reportedly brought from Ujjain and allegedly played a major role in the conspiracy, including supplying chemicals used in preparing the poisonous liquor. The remaining 12 accused, all residents of different parts of Bhavnagar district, allegedly procured, stored, and distributed the contaminated liquor.

All 13 newly arrested accused were produced before a court, which granted their police custody remand until 2 September.

Investigation Ongoing

The SMC has said its teams are making further efforts to apprehend remaining accused and establish the complete network behind the supply of the poisonous liquor. Police are continuing to collect evidence and trace others allegedly involved in procurement of chemicals, manufacture, transportation, and distribution. This is not Gujarat's first spurious liquor tragedy — the state, which enforces prohibition, has seen periodic incidents of illicit liquor deaths, raising persistent questions about enforcement gaps in the supply chain.