Behind fatal concoction that killed 12, gang that mimicked booze by Madhya Pradesh brands

Behind fatal concoction that killed 12, gang that mimicked booze by Madhya Pradesh brands Number of casualties rise to 12, plenty of more remain in hospital; action against four excise dept office-holders.

Key points

• Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, at present leading the bureau's coverage of Madhya Pradesh.
• Besides the 12 who died, plenty of more residents who consumed the alleged illicit liquor in Sagar district on Saturday night continue to be in hospital.
• Police remarked the victims were primarily from Nauraj and Gogra villages in the Banda police station area, where critically ill residents began arriving at hospitals early Sunday.
• Madhya Pradesh's Sagar and UP's Lalitpur fall under the larger Bundelkhand region.
• The administration has, meanwhile, begun disciplinary action against authorities of the Excise Department.

Besides the 12 who died, plenty of more residents who consumed the alleged illicit liquor in Sagar district on Saturday night continue to be in hospital. (Express Photo).

As the number of casualties in MP's alcohol tragedy continues to rise – at last count, it was 12 – investigation into the case has pointed to spurious country liquor that was allegedly supplied to the state by a gang based in Lalitpur in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Sagar Superintendent of Police (SP) Anurag Sujaniya remarked the substance involved in the deaths was initially identified as country liquor, adding investigation had led them towards a Lalitpur-based gang with a history of legal action for allegedly manufacturing and circulating spurious liquor.

Madhya Pradesh's Sagar and UP's Lalitpur fall under the larger Bundelkhand region. Four dead, 8 critical after consuming spurious liquor in Gujarat's Bhavnagar.

"Based on our initial investigation, the substance involved is country liquor. Preliminary findings point to a Lalitpur-based gang. It has faced legal action previously. It manufactures spurious liquor mimicking Madhya Pradesh brands and distributes it here. It is highly probable that the supply originated from that source, " stated the SP.

For context, the administration has, meanwhile, begun disciplinary action against authorities of the Excise Department. Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda remarked the latest official information put the death toll at approximately 11 to 12 and confirmed that three office-holders had been suspended. The Deputy Excise Commissioner had been attached to the department's headquarters, pending a comprehensive investigation.

Notably, the action followed preliminary findings suggesting negligence on the part of Excise Department authorities. The administration has additionally directed authorities to specifically investigate the role of the liquor licensee concerned and take strict action under the law if they are discovered responsible.

Investigators are now working backwards through the supply chain to establish where the liquor came from. This person sold it and from where it entered the local market. Regarding 10 residents have been detained for questioning as police attempt to identify the source of the supply and those involved in its distribution.

Notably, the SP remarked the investigation would examine whether there were administrative lapses that allowed the illicit liquor to reach the affected villages. "While both the Excise Department and the Police share the responsibility for taking action against illicit liquor, the fact remains that this incident has occurred; therefore, we will investigate where the shortcomings lie, " he remarked. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, at present leading the bureau's coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand's investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of a number of key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi's trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. As well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking, he has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor problems) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports.

In short, behind fatal concoction that killed 12, gang that mimicked booze by Madhya is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.