6 deaths in Rajasthan’s Alwar spark allegations of spurious liquor, but authorities deny link

However, Alwar District Collector Artika Shukla has denied that the deaths were caused by the consumption of toxic liquor, saying that a team consisting of officials from the revenue, tehsil, excise, police departments, among others, have investigated the deaths.

“The team investigated the deaths in depth. Of the six, three had nothing to do with the consumption of alcohol: one showed symptoms of pesticide (poisoning), another had high blood pressure, and one had asthma, while the other three were habitual drinkers,” she said. “Moreover, whenever there are deaths due to toxic or spurious liquor, there is a single source, which may be a wedding or a shop.”

In this case, the deaths were on different days and not connected to each other, she said. Since no post-mortem was conducted, the history of the deceased has been collected from their family members and studied by the officials from the health department, she said, adding that an exercise to check illicit liquor has already been running in the region since 7th April, and that it will be intensified in the coming days.

Talking to The Indian Express, District Excise Officer Archana Jaiman also said that “none of the deaths have been due to toxic liquor. The family members have also denied the same. Moreover, these deaths have taken place over three days. If it was toxic liquor, then the deaths would have been in bulk, say 15-20 or more, and at the same time.”

Terming the allegations rumours, she said that the joint team has recorded the statements of kin of all six deceased.