Excise Department Seizes 645 Litres of Methanol-Mixed Liquor Linked to Pune Hooch Tragedy
Pune, 30th May 2026: The State Excise Department has seized 645 litres of illicit methanol-mixed country liquor allegedly linked to the spurious liquor tragedy that has claimed 19 lives in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, even as the department suspended several officials and intensified its crackdown on illegal liquor networks across the region.
The seizure was made during raids conducted in Hadapsar, Gokhlenagar and Dapodi areas following the deaths reported in the Sanjaynagar area of Phugewadi and Pandharamala in Hadapsar. The department said it has registered 6,462 cases under excise laws during 2025-26 and seized illicit liquor and related material worth Rs 21.74 crore. It has also initiated preventive action, including invoking MPDA, against five individuals allegedly involved in the illegal country liquor trade.
According to the Excise Department, several people from Sanjaynagar, Phugewadi and Dapodi were admitted to hospitals between May 26 and May 28 after showing symptoms of suspected poisoning.
A case was registered at Dapodi police station, and accused Karnal Singh Virka and Gurumansingh Virka were arrested. Further investigation revealed that Yogesh Vhanakade alias Sikandar Rathod had allegedly supplied the spurious liquor. He was taken into custody by the Excise Department and later handed over to the police for further investigation. Another suspect, Radheshyam alias Raju Prajapati, was also found to be involved in supplying the liquor and was subsequently detained.
Based on information gathered during interrogation, Excise Department officials conducted late-night raids on May 29 at multiple locations. The raids led to the seizure of 70 litres of illicit liquor from Akash Jadhav in Pandharamala, Hadapsar; 155 litres from Irfan Qureshi in Pawar Vasti, Dapodi; and 420 litres from Aryan Ghodke in Vadarwadi, Gokhalenagar. In all, 645 litres of methanol-mixed country liquor were confiscated and cases were registered against those involved.
The excise officials said three arrested accused have past criminal records and were booked for similar offences of selling illicit liquor. Yogesh Vhanakade has three cases registered against him while Akash Jadhav has four, Karnal Singh Virka has one case while Radheshyam Prajapati was booked in four such cases in the past. Proposals seeking preventive action against the accused have also been submitted to the competent authorities.
The department further stated that nine officer and four staff members have been placed under suspension for alleged lapses in supervision and enforcement linked to the incidents.
Describing the tragedy as a serious public safety concern, the Excise Department said a special drive has been launched across Pune division against the manufacture, transportation and sale of illicit liquor. Officials have been directed to maintain heightened vigilance and take strict action to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
