Sagar/Bhopal, September 8, 2026

The reported death toll in the Sagar hooch tragedy rose to 22 on Tuesday, while more than 160 people were taken to hospitals after allegedly consuming toxic liquor in several villages of Madhya Pradesh’s Banda-Shahgarh region.

The figure of 22 is based on information gathered from villagers, hospitals and cremation records. The administration had not officially confirmed the entire toll at the time of filing this report. Separate reports said 112 patients remained admitted to hospitals in Sagar and Bhopal.

The tragedy began unfolding after villagers allegedly consumed cheaply sold liquor over the weekend. Many developed vomiting, blurred vision, breathing problems, unconsciousness and body tremors. The affected villages include Baraj, Nauraj, Gughra Khurd, Dalpatpur, Paatan, Chauka, Chhapri and Bamhura, among others. Medical teams have carried out door-to-door screening to identify people who may have consumed the suspected liquor.

Initial medical findings pointed to methanol poisoning. Reports citing post-mortem findings said methyl-alcohol poisoning had been detected in 12 deaths. Samples of the seized liquor have also been sent for forensic and chemical examination. Methanol is an industrial form of alcohol and is unsafe for human consumption. Even a small quantity can cause loss of vision, organ failure or death. Ethanol, in regulated quantities, is used in legally manufactured alcoholic drinks.

According to a police complaint, a new liquor brand was allegedly sold through unauthorised village outlets at around Rs 70 a quarter. It was nearly Rs 20 cheaper than liquor available at licensed shops. Buyers were allegedly assured that the product was genuine.

The low price and widespread availability have become important parts of the investigation. Police are examining where the liquor was manufactured, how it was bottled and labelled and who supplied it to the villages.

Two cases have been registered against 30 people, including a liquor contractor and alleged sellers and distributors. At least 14 accused had been arrested by Tuesday, according to reports.

Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal has ordered a magisterial inquiry. The probe will examine the cause of the deaths, the manufacture and distribution of the liquor and possible negligence by police, excise or other regulatory officials.

The state government has suspended three Excise Department officials. Another officer was removed from the district and attached to the Gwalior headquarters. Banda police station in-charge Rajendra Singh Kushwaha and Gughra outpost in-charge Puran Ladiya were also suspended. Banda Sub-Divisional Magistrate Aarti Yadav was subsequently removed from the post. Sanjay Jain was given charge of the Banda-Shahgarh subdivision.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav directed officials to conduct a thorough investigation and take the strictest action against those responsible. He said the state government would not tolerate the illegal liquor trade. Dr Yadav was in the UAE as part of Madhya Pradesh’s global investment outreach when the political row over the tragedy intensified. Deputy Chief Minister and Sagar district in-charge minister Rajendra Shukla visited the affected area and reviewed treatment arrangements.

The Congress has accused the BJP government of failing to check the illegal liquor network. The ruling party and the government have maintained that the entire supply chain will be investigated and no guilty person will be spared.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari visited the affected villages and met the families of victims. He later wrote to the Chief Minister demanding an independent judicial inquiry, a verified public list of the dead and adequate assistance for affected families. “Transfer after deaths is not action, suspension is not justice and a government statement is not accountability,” Patwari said in the letter.

He demanded that responsibility be fixed from the distillery and warehouse level to licensed shops and the final village seller. He also sought criminal cases against officials found responsible instead of limiting action to transfers or suspensions. Patwari alleged that the scale of the supply pointed to possible political and administrative protection. He also demanded an inquiry into allegations concerning the role of local political figures.

The Congress leader also questioned reports suggesting that the liquor had entered Sagar from Lalitpur in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Lalitpur police and excise authorities have rejected the claim and said there was no evidence so far that the suspected liquor was manufactured in their district. This contradiction has added another layer to the investigation. It will now have to establish whether the liquor was produced locally or brought from outside Madhya Pradesh.

Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania said police were examining the entire supply chain and conducting raids against those allegedly involved. He said the immediate effort was to stop the suspected liquor from reaching more areas and prevent any further loss of life.

The magisterial inquiry and forensic examination will now have to trace the source of the methanol, establish how the liquor reached the villages and identify every person involved in its manufacture and supply. For the affected families, accountability will come only when action moves beyond the final sellers and reaches the entire network behind the tragedy.