Pimpri Chinchwad cops book 29 in crackdown on illegal liquor units; Uruli Kanchan inspector shifted

Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad police intensified their crackdown on illegal country-made liquor units, registering 23 cases and booking 29 individuals, including 11 women, following the death of 17 people due to methanol-laced liquor.

On Monday, the superintendent of police (Pune Rural), Sandeep Singh Gill, attached senior police inspector Sachin Wangade of Uruli Kanchan police station to the police control room. Senior police inspector Vijaymala Pawar has been handed charge of the station.

Police carried out raids across multiple jurisdictions, including Dehu Road, North Chakan, South Chakan, Mahalunge MIDC, Bhosari MIDC, Alandi, Talegaon MIDC, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Ravet, Hinjewadi, and Sangvi. “We will continue our sustained action against these illegal manufacturing units to ensure public safety,” an officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch said.

Investigation revealed that the prime accused, Yogesh Vhankade, who allegedly mixed toxic methanol into country-made liquor, had sourced the alcohol from an illegal den in Uruli Kanchan operated by accused Radheshyam Prajapati. The Pune Rural police found that four constables were allegedly linked to Prajapati’s illegal operations. The suspended personnel have been identified as Subhash Doiphode, Ajit Kale, Sumit Wagh, and Ramdas Jagtap.

Meanwhile, teams from the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) continued their probe in Phugewadi and Hadapsar areas on Monday, recording statements from several individuals. The death toll from the consumption of the contaminated liquor currently stands at 17.

A CID team also visited Uruli Kanchan and its surrounding areas to trace the supply chain of the illicit liquor sourced by the arrested suspects.