The death toll in India’s worst bootleg liquor tragedy in recent years rose to 180 on Thursday as 30 more victims died, police said.
Labourers in the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu bought the liquor, sold in plastic pouches from illegal shops and laced with chemicals, at the weekend and immediately fell sick.
At least 20 dealers were arrested by Thursday and 25 state customs officials suspended, but police said they were still unable to trace the source of the liquor sale.
Police are investigating whether the liquor was supplied by political parties ahead of May state elections.
”We cannot say at this stage for sure, but at the same time this cannot be ruled out,” said Karnataka police chief R Srikumar.
In rural India, poor villagers often buy cheap alcohol, also known as ”country liquor”, as they cannot afford bottles sold at state-approved shops.
In 1981, more than 300 people died from the sale of illicit liquor in Karnataka. — Reuters