Madhya Pradesh Hooch Tragedy: 11 Dead, 84 Hospitalised; CM Orders Probe, Officials Axed

At least 11 people have died after consuming illegal spurious liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, with 84 hospitalised as of Sunday. Around 25 patients were shifted from Banda Civil Hospital to other facilities for advanced care. The district collector said screening operations were ongoing, with symptomatic individuals shifted to Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital.

Chief Medical and Health Officer Devesh Pateria indicated methyl alcohol poisoning as a likely cause, though confirmation is pending. Door-to-door checks are underway across three affected villages, and officials warned the death toll could rise as some patients remain in critical condition.

CM Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate probe into the incident. Four excise department personnel and two police officials have been removed from duty. The district administration sealed seven liquor shops in the affected area and appealed to affected residents to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing vomiting, headache, or fever.