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.
Jaiswal received injuries in his leg during the encounter leading to his arrest and was referred to the Trauma Centre of the KGMU in Lucknow.
Earlier, the tragedy spurred the Yogi Adityanath government to order a high-level probe to look into all possible angles, including political conspiracy. Many heads also rolled after the incident and as many as 10 excise and two UP police officials were suspended.
On Monday night, some locals of Raniganj and adjoining villages consumed liquor purchased from a shop in Ramnagar area and later their condition deteriorated. They were rushed to Ramnagar community health centre (CHC). While 14, including a man and his three sons, died on Tuesday, three more died while being treated at KGMU in Lucknow.
The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the family members of the deceased and ordered a high -level probe.