At least ten people died and several others fell ill after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, officials said on Sunday.
The victims, residents of different villages, had consumed liquor on Saturday night in and around Ghooghar, Naoraj, Baraj and nearby areas. Their condition deteriorated soon after, following which their families took them to hospitals.
Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania told PTI that nine people had consumed the liquor in two villages in Banda tehsil, around 30 km from the district headquarters, and all nine had died.
Officials said the first death was reported in the early hours of Sunday. Preliminary autopsy reports were awaited.
“Ten persons have died after consuming illegal spurious
liquor in two villages of Banda tehsil, about 30 km from the district headquarters,” Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal, who was visiting the affected area, told PTI over the phone.
Asked about the number of people who had fallen ill, she said screening was underway, and those complaining of fever and headache were being shifted to the government-run Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital (BMCH).
“Three such persons have been sent to BMCH. None of them is serious,” the official said.
VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh: Nine people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Sagar district.
District Magistrate Pratibha Pal says, “There have been reports of illnesses and deaths allegedly caused by the consumption of illicit liquor since morning, and an investigation… pic.twitter.com/R7JV5Tzoxv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 6, 2026
Four to five people were also shifted to the government-run Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital after complaining of symptoms including headache and vomiting, the collector said.
Banda BJP MLA Virendra Lodhi, however, claimed that 11 people had died and around 25 others had been shifted from Banda Civil Hospital to other hospitals for advanced treatment.
“As per my knowledge, 11 people have died after consuming spurious liquor. Around 25 have been rushed to other hospitals for advanced health care from Banda Civil Hospital,” he said.
Senior officials, including the Sagar divisional commissioner, inspector general, collector and superintendent of police, reached the affected area and took stock of the situation.
They met the affected families and reviewed treatment and medical arrangements for patients admitted to hospitals.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered a probe into the incident, asserting that no guilty person would be spared.
The district administration sealed seven liquor shops in the affected area as a precaution and ordered immediate sampling, officials said.
Yadav also said that he has directed the concerned minister and officials to immediately visit the affected area. He assured that the incident would be investigated and strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda also condemned the incident and said those responsible would not be spared.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more casualties as the investigation and screening continue.
The incident comes after 13 persons died last month due to consumption of spurious liquor in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, a ‘dry’ state where the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol are banned.
According to authorities, the victims had consumed liquor belonging to a popular Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand.
Police arrested 13 of the 21 accused and charged them with offences including culpable homicide and poisoning.
The investigation found that the liquor contained 38.59% methanol.
(With inputs from agencies)
