Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy: Death toll increases to 53; police nab 7

One-man commission begins probe, meets victims

Madras High Court judge Gokuldas (File) Former High Court Judge B. Gokuldas interacts with the media at a government hospital over the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi | PTI

The death toll in the tragic Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy increased to 53 on Saturday and close to 200 persons are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the region. The Tamil Nadu police have arrested seven persons in connection with the case.

Newly appointed Kallakuruchi District Collector M.S. Prashant visited persons undergoing treatment at Kallakuruchi government hospital and added a few people are still on ventilators. “Out of the 193 people undergoing treatment, 140 are currently safe and a few people are on ventilators,” he said. Prashant said as many as 53 persons have died after consuming illicit liquor in the district. He added that CB-CID has taken over the probe of the case and has arrested seven persons.

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian visited those undergoing treatment on Friday. The minister visited those being treated at Kallakuruchi government hospital, JIPMER-Puducherry and Salem government hospital and enquired about their well-being. 

On Friday, former Madras High Court Justice B. Gokuldas, who heads the one-man commission to enquire the hooch tragedy, commenced his probe and visited the families of victims in Karunapuram. Gokuldas also visited the Kallakurichi Government Medical Hospital.

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