BHAVNAGAR(GUJRAT), 19 August (H.S.): The suspected consumption of spurious liquor has claimed three lives in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, while 17 people have been hospitalised following reports of a fake 'Royal Stag' branded liquor being consumed in the area.

The deceased have been identified as Kartik Ashwinbhai Makwana, 40, Upendrasingh Chandrasingh Gohil, 25, and Narendrasingh Yadav, a resident of Indore in Madhya Pradesh.

According to the district administration, eight patients are currently undergoing treatment at the civil hospital, while nine others are admitted to private hospitals. All 17 patients are reportedly in stable condition at present.

The state government has handed over the investigation to the State Monitoring Cell (SMC).

Late on August 18, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi held a meeting at Ahmedabad airport with senior officials, including State Police Chief G.S. Malik, the Intelligence Bureau chief and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner. SMC Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda was immediately sent to Bhavnagar and directed to take strict action against those allegedly involved in the incident.

According to the police investigation, seven friends had organised a liquor party in Kharkadi village of Ghogha taluka on the night of August 16. Several people reportedly fell ill after consuming the liquor. Upendrasingh Gohil died while undergoing treatment, followed by the deaths of two others.

Police officials said the incident is currently being treated as a suspected case involving consumption of spurious 'Royal Stag' liquor rather than a conventional hooch tragedy. Four suspected bootleggers have been detained for questioning in connection with the alleged supply of the counterfeit liquor.

After consuming the liquor, Upendrasingh reportedly developed breathing difficulties, vomiting and nausea. He was taken to Sir T. Hospital in Bhavnagar, where he died during treatment. Other affected individuals were admitted to different hospitals, while one patient in critical condition was shifted to Jamnagar for further treatment.

Police have registered a case of accidental death and launched an investigation. Post-mortem examinations of the deceased are being conducted, and the exact cause of death is expected to become clearer after the reports are received.

The district administration and police have urged anyone who may have consumed suspected or counterfeit liquor not to wait for symptoms to appear. They have advised such individuals to immediately visit a hospital and undergo medical examination.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar