Establish actual number of deceased in hooch tragedy: Gorhe

Pune: Deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe on Tuesday said the authorities must conduct a comprehensive drive to establish the actual number of deaths and people affected in the hooch tragedy that struck Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.

On Tuesday afternoon, Gorhe visited the state CID office in Pashan to review the progress of the investigation. She interacted with CID chief additional director general of police Sunil Ramanand and other senior officers. She highlighted alleged shortcomings in the probe, complaints from local residents and suggestions regarding the future course of the probe.

She said various reports mention different death tolls. Some reports suggest 22 deaths, some 20 and a few are saying 25. “We still do not know the exact number of deaths. CID data says 15, but it needs to be verified,” Gorhe said, adding that CID officials must directly engage with citizens as part of the probe.

Gorhe said, “It is important to trace people who displayed symptoms along with identifying those who died after consuming the poisonous liquor. Medical experts should be involved in the process and record of individuals who died under suspicious circumstances during that time must be examined.”

She said there is a possibility that some victims returned to their native places after falling ill. “Information should also be sought about people who may have travelled to Karnataka, Latur, Bihar and other states. The state CID should float temporary contact numbers of the officers so that people can contact them with credible information,” Gorhe said.