25 Dead After Consuming Spurious Liquor in Mumbai

Mumbai: At least 25 people have died after they consumed spurious liquor in a slum in suburban Malad, Mumbai, police said today.

Mumbai Police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni said many people drank the concoction last night and by 7:30 pm this evening, 25 people have lost their lives while some others have been admitted in a critical condition in the KEM and Shatabdi hospitals.

The people who died had been admitted in Prime Hospital, Shatabdi Hospital, BMC Hospital and Siddharth Hospital across the city.

"Police have detained a suspect, identified as Raju Langda in this connection," said Mr Kulkarni, adding that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses in the case. The incident occurred at Laxmi Nagar slum.

He said Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has ordered the Crime Branch to take over the case.

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"We are in the primary stage of investigation and not in a position to divulge much details," said Fatteh Singh Patil, Additional Commissioner of Police (North).

He said details - the kind and make of the liquor, where it was brewed and the number of people who drank it would be known after the investigation.

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In 2004, 87 people died after consuming spurious liquor in suburban Vikhroli. Nineteen people were convicted and jailed in connection with the incident which became famous by the name of 'Vikhroli hooch tragedy'.