This Pune hooch tragedy is honestly disturbing at another level . 18 people dead,just because toxic liquor was allegedly pushed into hands of people at ₹30 per bottle . That price itself shows how easily poor and unsuspecting consumers can get trapped.
And now Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) has pointed to methanol adulteration as main reason behind deaths . Methanol is not some normal alcohol ah,it is highly toxic substance used in industrial applications,and when it gets mixed with liquor,result can be deadly.
Police information reportedly led FDA teams to Shri Rex International,a company now linked to distribution of toxic liquor . Raids were carried out at its premises and authorities found 5,929 kilograms of methanol stored unlawfully in their facilities . Nearly six tonnes of methanol sitting like that is not small thing.
And after this,FDA sealed company's office in Vashi and warehouse in Bhiwandi . Legal notices were also issued to owners Arun Kumar Chaubey and Abhishek Arun Kumar Chaubey .
Few things standing out clearly here:
- 5,929 kilograms of methanol was confiscated during raid.
- Legal action has started to revoke firm's operating license .
- FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stressed need for safe food and medicines.
But what makes this case even more scary is how liquor reportedly reached victims . Investigators say victims had consumed illicit liquor at residence in Phugewadi area . From there,trail went through network of intermediaries,with Yogesh Wankhede allegedly sourcing it from another supplier .
And then connection led back to Shri Rex International . During raid,FDA reportedly found lack of proper documentation about methanol storage and distribution . That kind of gap is exactly where dangerous stuff can quietly move around without normal people even knowing .
Complaint has now been filed against the Chaubeys,and police have registered case based on evidence gathered . FDA has sealed entire methanol stock too,which officials believe may have stopped another bigger tragedy from happening .
And tbh,this feels like one of those cases where action came after terrible loss . Investigators are now looking at possible illegal liquor manufacturing operations across Maharashtra and trying to break networks involved in such dangerous practices,but question is how many such chains are already running quietly…
