HC orders Mumbai CP to reply on action taken in Hooch tragedy

Mumbai, Dec 6 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the Commissioner of Police to file an affidavit by December 20 submitting why the police officials were given minor punishment for lack of vigilance resulting in the hooch tragedy killing more than a hundred people at Vikhroli in December 2004.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice H S Bedi and Justice V M Kanade were hearing a public interest litigation filed by Janhit Manch, seeking action against the erring officers of Vikhroli Police Station.

However, Joint Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik submitted his affidavit stating that of the 18 officers, one lady Police Naik M T Yashwante was found not-guilty and thus no action was taken against her. Another Assisstant Sub-Inspector K G Shedge, who is about to retire, was charged a fine of Rs 500.

The affidavit further submitted that three police sub-inspectors -- R S Patond, S J Kamble, K B Shinde -- and thirteen officials below the rank of PSI (police sub-inspector) would not be given any increments for a year as punishment.

The state also submitted that methyl alcohol was listed in the list of dangerous substances on November 17.

While illegal liquor 'Moonshine' was taken home by many residing at Vikhroli, from the vendor and consumed at home, the analysis of samples of the spurious liquor was laced with methyl alcohol apparently to increase the 'kick'.

The brew was priced at just Rs 16 per bottle. How could the illegal business be carried on if the police officers were more alert, was the question raised by the petitioner NGO's chief appearing in-person, Bhagwanji Rayani.

None of the enquiries conducted in the case were completed logically, he said.

The alcohol shop owners submitted before the court that the number of licenses given by the government should be increased to curtail such illegal sale of hooch. In fact, in Karnataka, licensed shops of liquor are at a distance of 15 kilometres whereas in Maharashtra, they are at a distance of 65 kilometres, they said.

The additional income generated can be used for the benefit of the state, they added.

UNI ARM MJ PA DB2141