The National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on 21 May over the death of at least 11 people who consumed spurious liquor reportedly purchased from licensed shops in Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat districts, ANI reported.
The death toll rose to 13 with three more persons dying in hospitals since last night, police told PTI.
While seven persons died in Kanpur, six others died in neighbouring Kanpur Dehat district after consuming spurious liquor since Saturday, 19 May, ADG Kanpur, Avinash Chandra told PTI.
The ADG said that eight persons, including Vinay and Neeraj, grandsons of former SP MLA Ram Swarup Gaur, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in sale of spurious liquor while a hunt was on for other suspects.
The police is also searching for the former MLA, he said.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs for the next of kin of each of the deceased, an official statement said.
Kanpur Admin Puts Immediate Ban on Liquor Brand
On Saturday night, a massive operation against hooch manufacturers, traders and suppliers was carried out by the police in suburban pockets.
The Kanpur local administration put an immediate ban on sale of liquor brand 'Madhuri 442' following the incident, adding that action will be taken against those found selling or storing the brand, ANI reported.
According to PTI, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered in both the incidents and raids are being carried out to nab the culprits.
“We have raided the house of one of the accused and cartons of illegal liquor have been recovered from there,” the Kanpur District Magistrate Surendra Singh told ANI.
Few of the deceased have been identified as Bhola Yadav (30), Rajendra Kumar (48), Ratnesh Shukla (51), retired sub-inspector Jagjeevan Ram (62) and Umesh (30), the PTI report added.
Irate Residents Block Roads
Irate residents of Maghaipurwa and Bhanwarpur villages in Kanpur Dehat on Sunday, 20 May, blocked the road demanding speedy arrest of the accused and adequate ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased, the PTI report added.
SP (rural) Pradyuman Singh had said on Saturday, that according to the relatives of the victims, all of them had consumed liquor purchased from a government liquor shop.
Kanpur's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akhilesh Kumar said an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Excise Act was lodged against Shyam Balak, the licence holder of the liquor shop.
Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma visited Ursula Hospital in Kanpur to meet the six people who were hospitalised on Sunday.
(With ANI, PTI inputs.)
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