Spurious toddy victims number reaches 100, 3 accused held
Banswada sub-collector Kiranmayi told Deccan Chronicle that the condition of the victims is currently stable. "Toddy samples have been sent to the regional laboratory in Hyderabad, and further action will be taken based on the results.
KAMAREDDY: The number of victims affected by spurious toddy in Kamareddy district has risen to nearly 100. The Prohibition and Excise Department officials have registered five cases against 27 individuals, including women, arrested three accused, and suspended 18 Toddy for Tapper (TFT) licenses along with one Toddy Cooperative Society (TCS) licence.
As of Wednesday, 51 patients had been discharged from various hospitals, while others continue to receive treatment in government and private hospitals in Banswada, Kamareddy, and Nizamabad. Three patients remain in critical condition under medical observation.
Victims from Banswada, Birkur, Nasrullabad, and Gandhari mandals reported severe health issues including neck pain, body aches, and neurological symptoms after consuming the adulterated toddy. Preliminary investigations revealed that harmful substances such as Alprazolam, Chloral Hydrate, and Dizoform were mixed into the toddy distributed in Banswada and Yellareddy divisions.
Kamareddy district collector Ashish Sangwan has directed excise, police, and health officials to ensure proper medical care for the affected individuals. Deputy commissioner of prohibition and excise (Nizamabad division) V. Somi Reddy and Kamareddy excise superintendent B. Hanumanth Rao are stationed in Banswada to monitor the situation closely. Three special teams have been formed to track down the absconding accused, and 50 grams of Alprazolam along with a vehicle used in transporting the spurious toddy have been seized.
Banswada sub-collector Kiranmayi told Deccan Chronicle that the condition of the victims is currently stable. "Toddy samples have been sent to the regional laboratory in Hyderabad, and further action will be taken based on the results. We are taking utmost care to ensure the full recovery of all affected individuals," she said.
Meanwhile, a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been filed against the Gouraram toddy depot in Gandhari mandal, where the spurious toddy is believed to have been prepared.