Hooch tragedy: NHRC issues notice to Maha govt, Mumbai top cop

Mumbai, June 24: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday sought a report on the recent Mumbai hooch tragedy that claimed 102 lives.

The rights body said the incident "raised a serious issue of violation of human rights of victims".

Taking suo moto cognisance of media reports on the incident that took place on last Wednesday (June 17), the NHRC has served notices to Maharashtra chief secretary, principal secretary of excise department, the state government and Mumbai police commissioner, seeking a report within two weeks.

The NHRC also asked the concerned authorities to furnish information about the ex-gratia relief paid to the next of kin of the deceased and to the victims admitted in hospitals.

The victims, hailing from poor economic backgrounds, had consumed the hooch in a bar in Malwani, north-west Mumbai suburb and later developed various symptoms of poisoning.

Till Monday (June 22), it claimed 102 lives, making it the worst-ever hooch tragedy in Maharashtra till date, while another 45 are still under treatment in various hospitals.

The government has ordered a probe into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs.100,000 to the kin of each deceased victim.

Mumbai Police have swung into action and seized over 70 tonnes of spurious liquor from the city and surrounding areas in the past few days.

A major breakthrough was achieved on Tuesday when Mumbai and Delhi Police nabbed the main kingpin of the hooch tragedy Mansur Latif Shaikh alias Atiq from the national capital.

IANS