Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: Deaths Rise To 22; Victims Had Consumed Spurious Liquor Containing Methanol, Says DGP Sylendra Babu

The death toll in the hooch tragedy has risen to 22, with fresh deaths reported from Villupuram and Chengalpattu.

Director General of Police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu has said that an analysis of samples has shown that the victims had consumed spurious liquor containing methanol.

Methanol is a type of alcohol used in industrial applications. It is toxic to humans.

Meanwhile, police have arrested Ellian Nambi, a chemical engineer working in a private company, who allegedly sold the methanol. Nambi has been accused of selling 600 litres of methanol to a Puducherry-based agent who later sold it to sub-agents.

The opposition has questioned the state government after the police said that it has arrested over 1500 people and filed 1800 cases in the days after the tragedy.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai has said that such a large network of bootleggers could not have existed without knowledge of the officials.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: Annamalai Demands Dismissal Of Ministers Senthil Balaji And Gingee Masthan

Tamil Nadu: 'Accused In Hooch Tragedy Got Himself Admitted In Hospital And Availed Of Rs 50000 Compensation' Says Annamalai