Pune: CID Takes Over Probe Into Toxic Liquor Case That Claimed Over 10 Lives
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune/Pimpri Chinchwad, 29th May 2026: At least 10 people have died and several others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Hadapsar, Dapodi and Phugewadi areas, prompting the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Police to register multiple cases under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Maharashtra Prohibition Act and other relevant laws.
Maharashtra State CID chief Sunil Ramanand confirmed that the CID has taken over the investigation now.
According to a press note issued by the police, the incident took place between May 26 and May 28. Based on complaints received after the deaths and deteriorating health conditions of several residents, Dapodi Police registered FIR No. 198/2026 on May 29 under Sections 105, 123, 190, 125, 275 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
Police said the deceased allegedly consumed country liquor suspected to be adulterated or toxic. The victims have been identified as Pandurang Sakharam Phuge (53), Akbar Ajimsahan Pathan (48), Rajesh Shantaram Rajput (50), Anand Pandurang Chindhe (53), Anand Kashinath Nikam (64), Bhimrao Bapusaheb Nagarale (27), Ashok Avrasmal (42), Sachin Ramchandra Nete (46), Suryakant Mamte Bangre (55) and Raj Prakash Rohade (34), all residents of Phugewadi and Dapodi areas of Pune.
Police said postmortem examinations have been conducted and viscera samples have been preserved for chemical analysis. Final forensic and toxicology reports are awaited.
During the investigation, police found that several others who allegedly consumed the same liquor had fallen ill and were undergoing treatment at hospitals including YCM Hospital, Aundh Hospital and Varad Hospital. The injured have been identified as Sushant Dinkar, Chandan Kumar, Shrimant Shivputra Kale, Jitu Manohar Shetadpuri and Prakash Rohade.
Four persons have been arrested in connection with the Dapodi case. The arrested accused have been identified as Kanwar Singh Takhtsingh Virk (63), Gurumantsingh Kanwarsingh Virk (55), both residents of Deccan Paper Mill locality in Phugewadi, Yogesh Ramchandra Dhanwade (23) of Keshavnagar, Mundhwa, and Shesham Hariram Prajapati (34) of Uruli Kanchan, Pune.
Police said the accused were produced before a court, which remanded them to police custody till June 4, 2026. Another accused, Kalpesh Ashok Agrawal (27) of Khadki, has also been detained and further action is underway.
In a parallel development, the Hadapsar Police have also registered a separate case linked to the alleged manufacture and supply of toxic liquor. According to police sources, the Hadapsar case pertains to the suspected use of industrial spirit and hazardous chemicals for preparing illicit country liquor, which was allegedly distributed in parts of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The Hadapsar Police are investigating the suspected supply chain, storage locations and procurement of chemical substances allegedly used in the liquor manufacturing process. Officials are also probing possible links between suppliers, transporters and local distributors involved in the racket.
Meanwhile, the State Excise Department has initiated separate action against several persons allegedly connected to the illegal liquor trade. Officials said action has been taken against Akash Jadhav of Hadapsar, Ishwar Nisar Qureshi of Dapodi and Aryan Sanjay Dhotre of Gokhalenagar.
Senior police officials said the exact cause of death would be confirmed only after forensic and chemical examination reports are received. Raids and searches are continuing in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to identify others linked to the suspected spurious liquor network.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the illegal liquor trade and the enforcement of prohibition and excise laws in the Pune region.
