PUNE: The death toll attributed to consumption of spurious liquor in Pimpri and Pune city rose to 12 since Thursday night as the police and the excise authorities swung into action to arrest eight people, including a repeat offender who is suspected to have prepared the liquor using chemical-mixed spirit. Five of these deaths were reported from late Thursday night to early Friday morning from the Hadapsar area and another four from Pimpri, adding to the six deaths reported on Thursday. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai that eight persons have been arrested in connection with the death of 12 people after they consumed illicit liquor in Pune. Fadnavis said, “The incident is extremely serious and akin to murder, hence stringent sections will be applied against the people responsible for these deaths. Prima facie it appears that methanol-like substance was used for making the illicit liquor, but the police will give more details after further investigation.” Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad police along with the teams of state excise are conducting joint operations in the case. “The investigating authorities have unearthed the den where the illicit liquor was being prepared. Eight people have been arrested so far but police will be finding the entire network and its kingpin,” Fadnavis added.
