Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar on Monday, 26 October 2025, visited Chandana village in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, to meet families bereaved in the alleged spurious liquor incident, announcing ₹50,000 in immediate financial assistance to each affected family on behalf of the Congress Legislature Party. Singhar also demanded ₹25 lakh compensation per family from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and swift punitive action against those held responsible.

What Congress Said and Did

'On behalf of the Congress Legislature Party, we provided financial assistance of ₹50,000 to the family of each deceased person. I also spoke to the Chief Minister and demanded financial assistance of ₹25 lakh for each bereaved family and strict action against those responsible for this serious incident,' Singhar said. The announcement did not specify the number of families that received the assistance or the precise death toll being referenced.

Disputed Death Toll and Official Position

The Dewas district administration has denied that the deaths were caused by poisonous liquor. According to officials, 10 people died in Chandana between 1 and 15 October due to varying causes — including old age, illness, brain haemorrhage, accidental causes, and pre-existing health conditions. However, State Congress president Jitu Patwari has claimed that 22 people died and at least 40 suffered vision loss in the affected areas — a significantly higher figure that remains unverified by authorities. Families in both Chandana and neighbouring Binjana village have alleged that some victims fell ill after consuming liquor, though a direct link between the deaths and spurious liquor has not been officially established.

Forensic Probe and Administrative Response

To determine the cause of death, viscera samples from two deceased persons have been sent to a forensic science laboratory for examination. The findings are expected to clarify whether liquor consumption was a contributing factor. Separately, Ujjain Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh has constituted a five-member committee to investigate the deaths in Chandana and Binjana, with a mandate to submit its report within 15 days.

Broader Context

Suspected spurious liquor incidents are a recurring public health crisis across several Indian states, particularly in rural areas where illicitly produced alcohol is more accessible. This comes amid heightened political scrutiny in Madhya Pradesh, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces criticism over liquor policy and enforcement. The BJP government has maintained that the deaths in Chandana were not linked to liquor consumption, setting up a direct conflict with the opposition's narrative ahead of the forensic findings.

What Happens Next

The forensic laboratory report and the divisional commissioner's committee findings will be critical in resolving the disputed facts. Until those results are made public, the death toll, vision-loss figures, and the precise cause of death remain contested. Political pressure from Congress is expected to intensify if the forensic findings implicate spurious liquor.