Investigation into toxic spirits deaths concludes

The deaths of more than 40 people in India who consumed toxic alcohol has been blamed on a lack of co-ordination between excise, police and drugs departments.

An investigation into the deaths of more than 40 people who consumed toxic alcohol in India has concluded

In February 2012, 41 people died after drinking alcohol laced with chemicals used to manufacture medicine in the Cuttack and Kurdha districts.

As reported in The Times of India, the Justice A S Naidu Commission, which inquired into the deaths, released a report claiming there was no co-ordination between the three departments that could have detected the poisonous spirit.

“Consequently, the machinery for detection and/or prevention has totally failed,” the report read. The Commission also recommended further action to combat illicit distilleries and steps to control the import of methyl alcohol.

In addition, investigators suggested restrictions on the production of medicines with 20% alcohol volume as well as regular inspections on homeopathic medicine stores.

The commission also recommended setting up schemes to reward informers of illicit alcohol production and a data bank for medicine manufacturers, among a list of other extensive suggestions.

Two years ago the state of Gujarat implemented the death sentence for those convicted of producing lethal illegal alcohol.

The law was introduced following the death of 157 people who consumed bootleg alcohol in the city of Ahmedabad in 2009.

In October last year, another 42 people were killed in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state after consuming a batch of toxic, illegally made spirit.

Deaths from drinking illegally-brewed alcohol are common in rural parts of India since licenced products are seen as more costly in poor communities.

Illicit alcohol, known as “country liquor”, or “sharab”, is often spiked with chemicals such as methanol to increase potency.