A hooch tragedy in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has claimed the lives of more than 13 people after they consumed spurious liquor, with a grim twist now confirmed: Rahul Kshirsagar, the liquor vendor allegedly responsible for selling the toxic alcohol, also died after drinking the same illicit brew. The deaths, reported on 29 May 2026, have triggered police suspensions, an FIR, and sharp political backlash across the city.

The Vendor Who Became a Victim

Investigators found that Rahul Kshirsagar, who was allegedly at the centre of the illegal liquor supply chain, consumed the same spurious country liquor he had been distributing. A case related to the illicit sale had already been registered against him at Hadapsar Police Station on 13 May 2026 — more than two weeks before the mass deaths. His own death while under investigation adds a stark dimension to a tragedy rooted in criminal negligence.

Police Action: Three Officers Suspended

On 29 May 2026, the Pune Police administration suspended three officers attached to Hadapsar Police Station, citing gross negligence, dereliction of duty, and a severe lack of supervisory oversight. The suspended officials are Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Mogle, Assistant Police Inspector Hasina Sikalgar, and Police Sub-Inspector Hasan Mulani — all members of the station's crime investigation wing.

The official suspension order explicitly noted that the tragedy occurred due to oversight failures by the officers concerned. The department also acknowledged that widespread media coverage and social media outrage had significantly damaged the image of the police force.

The FIR and Charges Filed

A formal case — Crime No. 379/2026 — was registered at Hadapsar Police Station on 29 May 2026. The FIR invokes multiple provisions: Sections 105, 123, 125, 275, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 65(e), 68, 81, and 83 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused illegally manufactured toxic country liquor, adulterating it with poisonous chemicals before transporting and distributing it across the area. According to investigators, the accused were aware that the concoction could prove fatal, yet continued to sell it systematically.

Political and Social Fallout

The hooch deaths have unleashed fierce political and social backlash across Pune. Critics argue that the prior registration of a case against Kshirsagar on 13 May — and the apparent lack of follow-through — represents a systemic failure of law enforcement. The suspensions are being read as an attempt by the administration to demonstrate accountability in the face of mounting public pressure.

This is not an isolated incident: hooch tragedies have periodically struck Maharashtra and other states, raising recurring questions about enforcement of prohibition laws and the reach of illicit liquor networks. As investigations continue, the focus will sharpen on whether the supply chain extended beyond Kshirsagar and how the toxic batch evaded detection for so long.