Pune: MLA Shankar Jagtap to Raise Phugewadi Hooch Tragedy in Monsoon Session, Seeks Detailed Probe
Pimpri Chinchwad, 19th June 2026: BJP MLA from Chinchwad, Shankar Jagtap on Friday said he will raise the Phugewadi hooch tragedy that claimed 19 lives in Phugewadi, Dapodi and Hadapsar in the upcoming monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature beginning June 22 in Mumbai. Jagtap has submitted a ‘Lakshavedhi’ in the Assembly seeking a thorough investigation into the incident and stringent action against those responsible.
He said the deaths, which occurred between May 28 and June 1 after people allegedly consumed spurious country liquor, exposed the deep-rooted network of illegal liquor manufacturing and distribution operating in and around Pune. Jagtap said that the illicit liquor was allegedly adulterated with hazardous substances such as methanol, urea, oxytocin and other chemicals to increase its potency, leading to the deaths of 19 persons.
He said the issue would be one of the first matters he intends to raise during the session. He has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the tragedy and measures to dismantle the illegal liquor trade responsible for the deaths.
“Even after the tragedy and despite police action, liquor mafias allegedly shifted their operations to remote locations and continued supplying toxic liquor to the city. This raises serious questions about the role of the police and the state excise department,” Jagtap said.
“The scale of devastation witnessed in Phugewadi, Dapodi and Hadapsar has left everyone shocked. Those responsible for taking innocent lives through the adulteration of liquor with deadly chemicals, as well as anyone shielding them, must be held accountable. I will ensure that the concerns of the victims’ families are raised in the Assembly. Punishment for the guilty and rehabilitation of affected families will remain my priority,” he added.
The MLA also called for coordinated action between the state excise department, Pimpri Chinchwad police and Pune Rural police to dismantle the entire chain involved in the storage, transportation and sale of illegal liquor. He urged the government to set up a special enforcement mechanism and provide immediate financial assistance and rehabilitation support to the families of those who died in the tragedy.
Apart from the hooch tragedy, Jagtap said he would raise several civic and public issues during the session, including traffic congestion in Hinjewadi IT Park, the demand for a fast-track labour court for IT employees, mandatory safety audits for industries, restoration of non-functional CCTV cameras across the city, cancellation of the allegedly draft development plan of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, and filling of 4,776 vacant civic posts.
He will also seek action on pending property rights issues faced by residents living on reserved plots in the Pimpri Chinchwad New Town Development Authority area, release of approximately Rs 126 crore in pending scholarships for students through the Mahajyoti scheme, restoration of MRI services at Aundh District Hospital and introduction of cashless treatment facilities in all municipal hospitals.
