Pune, 30 May (HS): The

toll in spurious country liquor case of Pune has gone up to 21. The rising

figure of deaths has posed a challenge before the police investigating into the

issue.

Police have arrested ten people so far in the case

of illegal liquor trade, and adulteration using a poisonous chemical. The

Government has suspended 23 employees for dereliction of duty, which includes

police personnel and employees of the Excise Department.

On Saturday, a 32-year-old rickshaw puller, Umesh

Awchar died. Before his death he started losing eyesight, had nauseatic feeling

and froth started coming from his mouth.

During investigation Radheshyam Prajapati

adulterated country liquor in Uruli Kanchan. Umesh Awchar had consumed liquor

in the same area. Poisonous methanol was used for adulterating the country

liquor.

RAIDS: Following detection of illegal liquor trade,

Police seized raw material worth Rs 1.40 lakh from an illicit den near

Pune-Mumbai Expressway, on Friday night. A woman present there fled the site.

Shirgaon Police have registered a case of illegal brewing of country liquor. In

another raid country liquor worth Rs 10,000 was seized from Nitin Dhondiba

Gaikwad (53) in hilly area in Nighoje village. Nitin had stored the liquor

without any valid permit. South Mahalunge MIDC Police registered a case against

him and released him after issuing notice.

Police have intensified action against illegal

country liquor brewing dens and trade in Pune district.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar