At least 14 people have died and six remain critical after consuming methanol-laced bootleg alcohol in Amritsar, igniting fresh scrutiny over India’s enduring and deadly moonshine epidemic.
At a Glance
- 14 people have died and six are critically ill from toxic liquor in Punjab
- Methanol-laced alcohol was consumed in five villages near Amritsar
- Police have arrested nine suspects linked to the illicit operation
- Authorities deployed medics to prevent further casualties
- Illegal alcohol remains a recurring killer across rural India
A Dangerous Alcohol Crisis
Another wave of tragedy has hit India as methanol-laced moonshine claimed the lives of at least 14 villagers in Punjab’s Amritsar district. According to Yahoo News, the contaminated liquor was consumed in five nearby villages, leaving six others hospitalized in critical condition. The affected victims, mostly from lower-income backgrounds, fell ill after drinking what they believed to be a cheap celebratory beverage.
Methanol—a toxic industrial alcohol sometimes added to illicit brews to increase their potency—has been a silent killer in India’s underground liquor market. Just last year, a similar incident in Tamil Nadu led to the deaths of 53 people, underscoring how frequently these fatal mishaps occur. Despite repeated promises for reform, moonshine continues to flow freely in regions where poverty, corruption, and weak enforcement intersect.
Watch a report: 14 dead after consuming spurious liquor in Amritsar.
Law Enforcement Takes Action
In a swift response, police arrested nine individuals tied to the distribution of the lethal batch. As AP News reported, seven were apprehended for allegedly selling the toxic brew across the affected villages. Senior police officer Maninder Singh confirmed their involvement, pledging further investigation into the supply chain behind the catastrophe.
To contain the fallout, local authorities deployed medical teams to assess and treat anyone who may have consumed the liquor. Sakshi Sawhney, a senior government official, stated that all symptomatic individuals were rushed to hospitals to prevent further fatalities. This intervention comes as mounting pressure builds on Punjab’s administration to not only dismantle bootlegging networks but also implement long-term preventative strategies.
The Road Ahead
Illegal alcohol is not a new hazard in India—it’s a chronic one. The National Crime Records Bureau consistently logs hundreds of such deaths annually, a toll that reflects both the scale of the problem and the lack of consistent regulatory oversight. According to local police, “investigation is underway to uncover the entire modus operandi and to bring all involved to justice,” as cited by Insider Paper.
Yet, critics argue that such promises are little more than damage control unless paired with structural changes. These would include empowering rural communities with education, legal alcohol alternatives, and dismantling the corruption that allows these brews to circulate unchecked.
Until that happens, tragedies like Amritsar’s will likely continue—deadly footnotes in India’s long, painful struggle with illicit alcohol.
