Madhya Pradesh Forms Five-Member Panel to Probe Dewas Liquor Deaths

The Madhya Pradesh Government has formed a five-member committee to look into claims that at least 10 people died from drinking illegal liquor in the Dewas district. Officials announced the probe on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The panel must submit its report within 15 days.

Investigation and Conflicting Claims

The Ujjain divisional Commissioner set up the committee following conflicting statements about the fatalities. Villagers stated that at least 10 persons died after consuming fake alcohol between September 27 and October 16. The district administration initially called these claims false. Officials later stated they sent viscera samples of two deceased persons to a forensic science laboratory for testing to find the exact cause of death. While the administration confirmed that 10 people died in Chandana village between October 1 and 15, it denied that fake alcohol caused those deaths. Instead, authorities blamed old age, common illnesses, brain haemorrhage, and health issues linked to heavy drinking. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari claimed that 22 people died from spurious liquor in Chandana, Binjana, and nearby areas over the past month. He also stated that at least 40 people lost their eyesight and accused the administration of hiding the deaths and protecting the liquor mafia.

Panel Members and Mandate

Ujjain Additional District Magistrate Pratham Kaushik will lead the investigation committee. The other members are Mandsaur Additional Superintendent of Police Ramsanehi Mishra, Ratlam Sub-Divisional Police Officer Lekhraj Meena, Ujjain divisional flying squad Deputy Excise Commissioner Harshvardhan Rai, and Regional Director of Public Health and Medical Education Dr Deepak Kumar Pippal. The panel will examine the causes and circumstances of the deaths along with technical and administrative factors.

Context

Consuming illegal or locally brewed liquor, often called hooch, remains a serious public health hazard in parts of India, frequently leading to tragic mass poisonings and intense political clashes between ruling and opposition parties. Government authorities typically rely on forensic tests like viscera analysis to officially confirm toxic substances when local death tolls become disputed. Independent probe committees are often appointed in such cases to review administrative responses and determine accountability.