With three more deaths on Wednesday, the death-toll in the Barabanki hooch tragedy rose to 17, even as the prime accused in the case was arrested from near Bhind Amraee village on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, 14 persons had died and around 40 others were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor. Three others later died on Wednesday.
Superintendent of Police of Barabanki, Ajay Sahini, said that prime accused Pappu Jaiswal was arrested following an encounter early Wednesday morning.
“Efforts are underway to arrest Jaiswal’s accomplice Danvir Singh, who is the licensee of the shop. Three others working in the liquor shop were arrested on Tuesday night and raids was conducted at the godown and spurious liquor was seized,” he said.
The district police chief said that while the shop was allotted to Singh, Jaiswal was running it for him.