Bhavnagar spurious liquor: 13 arrested, 7 dead as Gujarat SMC hunts wider network
Synopsis
Seven dead, 25 hospitalised, and a counterfeit whisky racket spanning multiple states — Gujarat's Bhavnagar hooch tragedy has exposed a sophisticated fake liquor network that forged Royal Stag labels, sourced chemicals across state lines, and sold methanol-laced bottles to unsuspecting buyers. With 13 arrested and 8 still at large, the SMC's hunt is far from over.
Key Takeaways
7 people have died and 25 are hospitalised after consuming spurious liquor in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat .
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has arrested 13 of 21 named accused ; teams are pursuing the remaining 8 across Gujarat and other states.
The counterfeit liquor was sold in bottles bearing forged Royal Stag Superior Whisky labels with barcode 8901522000665 .
Seized materials include fake labels, sticker rolls, chemicals and colouring agents used to manufacture the duplicate hooch.
Malik directed the SMC takeover; case registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Gujarat Prohibition Act .
Gujarat Police have issued a public warning: anyone possessing such a bottle should destroy it and seek immediate medical attention if already consumed.
Gujarat's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has arrested 13 people in connection with a deadly spurious liquor case in Bhavnagar district, after investigators established that counterfeit hooch with dangerously high methanol content was being sold in bottles bearing Royal Stag Superior Whisky labels, officials said on Thursday, 20 August. At least seven people have died and 25 others remain hospitalised.
How the Case Unfolded
Vartej Police Station first registered an accidental death case on 18 August under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, following a cluster of deaths and illnesses linked to consumption of illegal liquor. As the death toll climbed, Director General of Police G.S. Malik directed the SMC to take over the investigation, recognising the gravity of the situation.
A criminal case was subsequently registered against 21 accused at Vartej Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — including Sections 105, 123, 61(2), 3(5), 274, 275, 345(3) and 349 — as well as Sections 65(A, B, D, E, F), 65A(2), 65A(3), 67(1)(A), 81 and 83 of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
Who Has Been Arrested
SMC Police Inspector S.M. Jadeja led the operation that resulted in the arrest of 13 of the 21 named accused. The arrested individuals are: Gautam Solanki, 24; Jatin Kambad, 21; Saras Solanki, 25; Paras alias Pappu Chudasama, 30; Mandeep Singh Prithviraj Singh Gohil, 20; Dharmendra Singh alias Dhamo Gohil, 30; Jaydeep Makwana, 27; Harsh alias Hasu Chauhan, 25; Vivek Algotar, 26; Bhargav Bhatt, 29; Keval alias Sango Solanki; Sukhdev Salat, 25; and Hardik alias Tincho Baraiya, 25. They hail from various areas of Bhavnagar district, including Vartej, Kharkadi, Ghogha and Bhavnagar city. Police are seeking remand of all arrested accused for further questioning.
What Was Seized and How the Racket Operated
During the arrests, the SMC recovered duplicate liquor bottles, chemicals, synthetic colouring agents, whisky labels, sticker rolls, bottle caps, cardboard packaging and other materials allegedly used to manufacture the counterfeit product. According to police, the raw materials had been sourced through transportation from multiple parts of the country, pointing to an organised supply chain that crossed state lines.
The counterfeit bottles closely mimicked Royal Stag Superior Whisky, carrying labels that falsely indicated an alcohol content of 42.8% by volume and a net quantity of 750 ml. The fake labels bore the barcode number 8901522000665 and referenced Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd and Rajasthan Liquors Ltd, along with a Rajasthan manufacturing location and a licence number — details that investigators say were fraudulently reproduced to deceive consumers.
Public Warning and Ongoing Investigation
Gujarat Police have issued a public advisory urging anyone in possession of a bottle matching the description to destroy it immediately and refrain from consumption. Those who have already consumed liquor from such bottles have been urged to visit the nearest clinic or hospital without delay for a medical examination. Authorities also asked the public to note the barcode and identifying numbers on suspect bottles.
Separate SMC teams have been dispatched to multiple locations across Gujarat and other states to trace and arrest the remaining eight accused and others whose involvement has surfaced during the investigation. The probe is focused on mapping the full supply chain — from the source of raw materials and sites of manufacture to the distribution network through which the poisonous liquor reached consumers.
Point of View
Creating a lucrative black market where counterfeiters can charge premium prices for products that carry no quality accountability. The sophistication of this racket — forged barcodes, cross-state supply chains, branded packaging — suggests this was not a cottage operation but a structured criminal enterprise. The real question the investigation must answer is not just who made the liquor, but who enabled its distribution at scale without detection. Until prohibition enforcement addresses the demand side as seriously as the supply side, tragedies of this kind will recur.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Bhavnagar spurious liquor case?
At least seven people died and 25 others were hospitalised in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, after consuming counterfeit liquor laced with high levels of methanol. The hooch was sold in bottles bearing forged Royal Stag Superior Whisky labels, misleading consumers into believing they were purchasing a legitimate product.
How many people have been arrested in the Bhavnagar hooch case?
The Gujarat State Monitoring Cell has arrested 13 of the 21 people named as accused in the case. Separate teams have been dispatched to Gujarat and other states to trace and arrest the remaining eight accused.
What made the fake liquor dangerous?
The counterfeit liquor contained a high quantity of methanol, a toxic alcohol that causes severe poisoning, organ failure, and death even in small doses. It was packaged to resemble Royal Stag Superior Whisky, making it difficult for consumers to identify as spurious.
What is Gujarat Police's public warning regarding this case?
Gujarat Police have urged anyone possessing a bottle matching the Royal Stag label described in the case — bearing barcode 8901522000665 — to destroy it immediately and not consume it. Anyone who has already consumed such liquor is advised to visit the nearest hospital or clinic without delay for a medical examination.
Who is leading the investigation into the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy?
Director General of Police G.S. Malik directed the State Monitoring Cell to take over the investigation from Vartej Police Station. SMC Police Inspector S.M. Jadeja is heading the probe, which is focused on mapping the full supply chain — from raw material sourcing to manufacture and distribution.
