Nine dead in Punjab after allegedly consuming spurious liquor

At least 21 people have died allegedly after consuming spurious liquor in Punjab’s Amritsar, Batala and Tarn Taran districts since Wednesday, PTI reported. One person is suspected to be in a serious condition.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered a magisterial investigation in the matter on Friday. The divisional commissioner of Jalandhar, along with the joint excise and taxation commissioner of Punjab and the police superintendent of the three districts would conduct the investigation, according to The Hindu.

The police have so far arrested one person – Balwinder Kaur, a resident of Muchhal village – in connection with the incident after a case was filed against her in Amritsar under culpable homicide charges. The police are waiting for the postmortem examination of four people to ascertain the cause of the deaths, an official statement said, adding that a Special Investigation Team would continue the probe.