Hooch tragedy: NHRC notice to Maha govt, Mumbai police

Taking a <g data-gr-id="41">suo</g> <g data-gr-id="42">motu</g> cognisance, the NHRC has observed that if contents of media reports are true, it has raised a serious issue of the violation of human rights of the victims.

Accordingly, it issued notices to Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Excise Department, Maharashtra government and Mumbai police chief calling for factual reports.

The Commission has asked the concerned authorities to furnish information in respect of <g data-gr-id="53">ex-gratia</g> <g data-gr-id="48">relief,</g> if any, paid to the next of the kin of the deceased and to the victims admitted in hospitals.

A total of 102 people <g data-gr-id="49">have</g> <g data-gr-id="51">died,</g> while 40 are <g data-gr-id="52">hospitalised</g> since they consumed spurious liquor in the Malwani area in suburban Malad last Wednesday.

The state government has already ordered an inquiry by Chief Secretary <g data-gr-id="46">Swadheen</g> Kshatriya into the incident, besides announcing a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the kin of each of the victims who died in the incident.

The police have so far arrested eight persons, including the kingpin Mansoor Ali, alias Atiq, who is suspected to have supplied the deadly concoction, in the case.

As part of the investigation, eight personnel attached to the Malwani police station have been suspended. Action has also been taken against four excise officials for their alleged negligence/connivance.

Meanwhile, the government has asked the police to carry out a massive state-wide drive against illicit liquor and suspend local police officers, in case of their involvement.

The home department had on Tuesday issued a circular in this regard to police commissioners, superintendents of police and the supervising senior officers.

"Consumption of illicit liquor has caused <g data-gr-id="45">death</g> of more than 100 people. There are many who are critical.  Such a tragic event cannot take place without the connivance of the local excise and police officers," it said. 

"You are directed to take up a massive drive in your jurisdiction to unearth such clandestine illicit liquor brewing spots and sale of the same. If you find the slightest evidence of <g data-gr-id="69">connivance</g> of police officers/employees, take immediate strict action including suspension by following <g data-gr-id="70">procedure</g> laid down by the law," it said. Action should be taken notwithstanding the officer's seniority, it said. 

The home department said the police should brief media "at frequent intervals" about action against the hooch trade, so that "government intentions are made absolutely clear to all the concerned".