The hunt continues: Suspect remanded in ‘moonshine’ case

Nearly three dozen people fell sick after consuming toxic liquor.

HYDERABAD: The Husri police on Wednesday arrested one of the four suppliers of moonshine whose consumption during the Raksha Bandhan festival last week led to eight deaths and hospitalisation of nearly three dozen people. The police secured a three-day judicial remand for Bachu Kohli, who was named along with three brothers in the FIR.

More than 200 residents of Asgharabad village in Husri had consumed the toxic alcohol during the festival last Saturday. The first couple of deaths attributed to the consumption of the moonshine were reported on Sunday, followed by three on Monday. By Wednesday, the number of deaths had reached eight. More than 30 people were admitted to the Civil Hospital by Monday evening while another eight were referred to Karachi in serious condition.

A case was registered on the complaint of ASI Pir Mohammad Walhari under sections 322, 337 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Husri police station. SHO Fazal Zardari told The Express Tribune that police were conducting raids to arrest the suspects, namely Pappu, Prem and Mangal.

The Kohli family had reportedly produced and sold the adulterated liquor at their home in New Asgharabad village. The police had earlier also arrested three female members of the family, but Civil Court VIII, where they produced for remand, instead released them.

The provincial health department had also sent a team of doctors to the village on Monday. According to doctors at the Civil Hospital, Hyderabad, all the patients had complained about stomach cramps and also appeared to have lost their eyesight.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2012.