Pune: A day after several people in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad reportedly died after consuming spurious liquor, it has emerged that Rahul Kshirsagar, the liquor vendor allegedly linked to the sale of the toxic alcohol that claimed the lives of over 13 people, also died after consuming the same hooch.
According to reports, a case related to the illegal sale of illicit liquor had been registered against Kshirsagar at Hadapsar Police Station on May 13. In a shocking turn of events, investigators found that the man accused of selling the spurious liquor was himself among its victims.
On May 29, in a major crackdown following the tragic deaths caused by the consumption of illicit, toxic country liquor in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, the Pune Police administration has suspended three police officers attached to the Hadapsar Police Station.
The department cited gross negligence, dereliction of duty, and a severe lack of supervision by the officers concerned. The suspended officials include Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Mogle, Assistant Police Inspector Hasina Sikalgar, and Police Sub Inspector Hasan Mulani.
All three officers were stationed at the Hadapsar Police Station and were actively involved in its crime investigation wing.
According to the official order issued by the police department, a case (Crime No. 379/2026) was registered at the Hadapsar Police Station on May 29. The FIR has been filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Sections 105, 123, 125, 275, and 3(5). Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949: Sections 65(e), 68, 81, and 83.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused illegally manufactured toxic country liquor, adulterating it with poisonous chemicals before transporting and distributing it. Despite knowing that consuming this lethal concoction could result in fatalities, the accused systematically sold the spurious liquor, directly causing multiple deaths.
The official suspension order explicitly noted that the tragic incident occurred due to severe negligence and oversight failures by the police officers concerned.
Following widespread media coverage and social media outrage, the department noted that the image of the police force had been significantly tarnished, raising serious questions about administrative efficiency.
The hooch tragedy has already triggered fierce political and social backlash across Pune. In light of growing public anger, this swift and stringent action by the police department is seen as a strong message from the administration on accountability.
(IANS)
