At least 15 people have died and nearly 10 others are in critical condition after consuming illicit liquor in multiple villages under the Majitha block of Punjab’s Amritsar district, police officials confirmed.
The victims were primarily from Bhangali Kalan, Thariewal, Sangha, and Marari Kalan. Those in critical condition are currently being treated at the Amritsar Civil Hospital.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney visited the hospital and confirmed the toll, warning that the number of deaths may rise.
“We’ve learned that all victims purchased liquor from the same source on Sunday evening. Some died by Monday morning, and locals cremated them without informing police. Others falsely claimed the victims died of heart attacks,” said Majitha SHO Aabtaab Singh.
The Punjab government confirmed that two FIRs have been registered. Prabhjit Singh and Sahib Singh, the main suppliers, were arrested in Rajasansi, along with four more individuals who distributed the liquor in the affected villages.
Authorities are also probing suppliers from other states suspected of providing the toxic brew.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in 2020, when over 130 people died and a dozen lost their eyesight after consuming spurious liquor in Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur—districts all located in Punjab’s Majha region.
