Patna hooch deaths may have been caused by IMFL laced with poisonous substance: Minister

Bihar Prohibition Excise and Registration department minister Madan Sahni on Monday said that the hooch deaths in Bihta near Patna a day ago might have been caused by consumption of IMFL laced with some poisonous substance.

At least four people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Barh area of the state capital on Sunday. The sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in Bihar since April 2016.

Talking to PTI, Sahni claimed that the deaths had taken place ‘very soon’ after consumption of liquor and a bottle of a popular brand was found at the site.

“Had the deaths been caused by spurious liquor, it would have taken some time, and the fatalities would have been preceded by symptoms like loss of vision," he said.

"Moreover, the quantity of liquor consumed was too little to have caused any serious problem. There was a fifth person at the spot where the four had consumed the drink. A search is on for the fifth person who may give a clue as to what was mixed in the Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL),” said the minister.

Sahni said that the matter is being investigated from all angles.

Police and his department are investigating the case after collecting evidence, including the bottle recovered from the spot, he added.

The minister also said that officials have been directed to serve notices to firms or brands whose liquor would be seized in the dry state in future.

“If the department does not get a satisfactory reply from the manufacturers of the IMFL, an FIR will be registered against the firm, besides the person carrying it," he said.

The authorities concerned are strictly enforcing the prohibition law in the state, said the minister.