Gujarat liquor tragedy: 27 arrested as SMC maps methanol supply chain
Synopsis
Thirteen people are dead and 27 are now in custody after Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell mapped a methanol supply chain stretching from Madhya Pradesh into Bhavnagar — exposing a multi-state distribution network operating inside one of India's strictest prohibition states. The investigation is still expanding.
Key Takeaways
27 people have been arrested in the Bhavnagar spurious liquor case as of 24 August , including 13 new arrests .
The death toll stands at 13 people , after victims consumed methanol-laced liquor.
The case was first registered on 18 August at Vartej Police Station , Bhavnagar.
16 SMC teams are operating across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to trace the supply chain.
Key accused Anand Chhandi of Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh is alleged to have supplied chemicals used in manufacturing the liquor.
Police custody remand for the 13 new accused has been granted until 2 September .
Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has arrested 13 more accused in the Bhavnagar spurious liquor case, raising the total number of arrests to 27 as investigators work to dismantle the supply chain of methanol and other chemicals allegedly used to manufacture the poisonous liquor. The latest arrests were announced on 24 August, six days after the case first surfaced.
How the Investigation Unfolded
The probe was triggered on 18 August when an accidental death was registered at Vartej Police Station in Bhavnagar district. Forensic examination established that victims had consumed liquor laced with methanol. The death toll has since climbed to 13 people.
On the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) G S Malik, the investigation was handed over to the SMC, with Police Inspector S M Jadeja taking charge. The cell deployed 16 teams across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and multiple districts within Gujarat to trace the origin of raw materials, the transporters involved, and the entry points through which chemicals allegedly reached the state.
Key Accused and Their Alleged Roles
Among the 13 newly arrested is Anand Chhandi, a resident of Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh, who was reportedly brought from Ujjain. Police allege he played a central role in the conspiracy, including supplying chemicals used in preparing the poisonous liquor.
The remaining 12 accused — Arvind alias Pandey Solanki, Sanjay Makwana, Nitin alias Muna Mori, Kishor alias Pocho Solanki, Mayur Solanki, Sanjay Mori, Mukesh alias Kachori Baraiya, Sanjay alias Chakram Baraiya, Nirmalsinh Vadhela, Parthrajsinh Gohil, Sanjay Chavda, and Bhagirathsinh Gohil — are residents of various parts of Bhavnagar district. According to police, they allegedly procured the liquor, stored it, and distributed or sold it to consumers.
All 13 newly arrested accused were produced before a court, which granted police custody remand until 2 September.
Legal Sections Invoked
A case has been registered against 21 accused under Sections 105, 123, 61(2), 3(5), 274, 275, 345(3) and 349 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 65(A)(B)(D)(E)(F), 65A(2), 65A(3), 67(1)A, 81 and 83 of the Prohibition Act. The charges reflect both culpable homicide provisions and violations of Gujarat's total prohibition regime.
What Investigators Are Pursuing Next
The SMC said its teams are continuing to collect evidence and identify additional suspects linked to the procurement of chemicals, manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of the contaminated liquor. Notably, this is the second major methanol-related tragedy in Gujarat in recent years, raising persistent questions about enforcement gaps in a state that has maintained total prohibition since 1960.
Authorities say the investigation into the full network behind the supply chain remains active, with further arrests expected as the probe extends across state lines.
Point of View
Yet methanol tragedies recur with grim regularity — each time exposing the same structural failure: a supply chain that operates across state lines while local enforcement looks the other way. The SMC's multi-state deployment is the right response, but the deeper question is why 16 teams are needed after 13 deaths rather than before. The involvement of an accused sourced from Ujjain and chemicals traced to Madhya Pradesh suggests that prohibition enforcement cannot be a single-state exercise. Until Gujarat coordinates a standing inter-state chemical-tracking mechanism, the next tragedy is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhavnagar spurious liquor case?
The Bhavnagar spurious liquor case refers to a hooch tragedy in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, where at least 13 people died after consuming liquor laced with methanol. The case was first registered on 18 August at Vartej Police Station, and Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell is now leading the investigation.
How many people have been arrested so far?
A total of 27 people have been arrested as of 24 August. The SMC made 13 fresh arrests after interrogation of the initial 14 accused revealed details about the raw material supply chain and distribution network.
Who is Anand Chhandi and what is his alleged role?
Anand Chhandi is a resident of Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh who was reportedly brought from Ujjain. Police allege he played a central role in the conspiracy, including supplying the chemicals used to manufacture the poisonous liquor.
Which states are involved in the investigation?
The SMC has deployed 16 teams across Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and multiple Gujarat districts to trace the origin of methanol and other chemicals, the transporters involved, and the entry points into the state.
What charges have been filed in the case?
Charges have been filed against 21 accused under Sections 105, 123, 61(2), 3(5), 274, 275, 345(3) and 349 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and multiple sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, covering culpable homicide and prohibition violations.
