Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda on Sunday, 25 October 2026, refuted allegations that recent deaths in Dewas district were caused by spurious liquor, stating that post-mortem reports found 'no trace of spurious liquor' in the deceased. The clarification comes amid growing concern over around 10 suspicious deaths reported in Chandana and Bijana villages of Dewas district over the past month.

What the Post-Mortem Reports Show

According to Deputy Chief Minister Devda, of the total 10 deaths, eight were determined to be natural. Post-mortem reports for the remaining two deaths also confirmed no presence of spurious liquor, he said. However, officials have separately cautioned that final confirmation on whether the consumed liquor was poisonous will only be possible once technical and forensic science laboratory (FSL) reports are released.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Abhishek Sharma dismissed reports claiming 15–20 deaths due to spurious liquor in Chandana village as 'misleading and baseless', saying investigations have not confirmed any such link so far. The administration has stated that the exact cause of deaths will be confirmed only after detailed post-mortem and viscera analysis reports are received.

What Villagers and Families Allege

Families of the deceased and local villagers have alleged the deaths may be linked to the consumption of spurious liquor, citing symptoms including blurred vision, complete loss of sight, restlessness, and vomiting after drinking. These accounts stand in direct contrast to the administration's position, deepening the dispute over what actually transpired in the two villages.

Notably, the constitution of an investigative team by authorities — even as officials described the deaths as natural — has itself become a flashpoint, with opposition leaders citing it as evidence of a cover-up attempt.

Congress Demands Compensation and Action

Former Union Minister and former State Congress President Arun Yadav has demanded a compensation of ₹1 crore to the kin of each of the deceased. He said, 'Until this morning, reports of the deaths were being dismissed as false. When we reached the Collectorate after meeting the affected families, the administration claimed these were natural deaths. The very fact that an investigative team has now been constituted proves that the Dewas administration was attempting to cover up the truth.'

Yadav further demanded that guilty officials be suspended immediately, strict action be taken against those involved in the illicit liquor trade, and compensation of ₹1 crore be provided to each bereaved family. State Congress President Jitu Patwari also visited the affected villages on Saturday, met the families, and joined calls for a thorough investigation.

Administration's Position and Next Steps

Officials have urged citizens not to spread unverified information, asserting that the matter is being investigated and appropriate steps will be taken based on scientific evidence. Further action will be governed by FSL findings, authorities confirmed. The administration's assurance, however, has not fully mollified opposition leaders or the affected families, who continue to press for accountability.

This is not an isolated controversy — spurious liquor tragedies have recurred across several Indian states in recent years, making the final forensic verdict in Dewas district a matter of significant public interest. The outcome of the viscera analysis is expected to either settle or intensify the dispute.