The demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has gained momentum as the death toll climbed to 57, with hundreds still hospitalised. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for a CBI investigation, citing the involvement of ruling DMK functionaries in the incident.
Addressing the media, Sitharaman criticised Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for their silence on the issue. She said, “You have no statement coming from Congress president (Mallikarjun Kharge) or the former Congress president (Rahul Gandhi), who rushes to the South seeking people’s vote to win elections.”
56 people died due to spurious liquor & most of them are Dalits. Rahul Gandhi & Mallikarjun Kharge are silent over the issue… I demand that this whole matter be given to the CBI for investigation: Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman
It is an… pic.twitter.com/95Z5yoRFlG
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 23, 2024
Sitharaman accused the DMK government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, of supporting those selling spurious liquor. “The incident cannot be fully inquired into if the state government is dealing with the probe. And therefore, I demand that this inquiry should be given to the CBI and immediate action should be taken to arrest those behind this. I don’t think justice will be served if inquiry and the whole matter is left only to the Tamil Nadu government,” she asserted.
FM @nsitharaman avl resonating the mind voice of 8 cr Tamils . Demands CBI enquiry in Kallakurichi hooch case . pic.twitter.com/UlfHwooNUw
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) June 23, 2024
The Finance Minister lambasted the DMK for what she described as “total incompetence” in handling the crisis. She also highlighted the government’s refusal to allow a discussion in the assembly on the matter. “Illicit liquor is being sold in Kallakurichi despite the availability of licensed liquor from government-run TASMAC shops. Liquor is flowing like water. There is a drug menace in Tamil Nadu today; young people are losing their lives, and no action has been taken by the state government,” she added.
Sitharaman pointed out that over 200 people are still hospitalized in critical condition, with the majority of the deceased belonging to the scheduled caste community. “I condemn the incident. In Tamil Nadu, where licensed liquor is available from government-run TASMAC shops, we need a CBI probe into it,” she concluded.
During a media briefing at the BJP headquarters in Delhi on June 23, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, questioning his possible involvement in the incident. “More than 56 people have died… many are still critical. More than 40 of those who died consuming spurious liquor are Dalits. This is state-sponsored murder, and I am surprised that the Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi, leaders of the DMK and those of other constituents of the ‘INDI Alliance’ are silent on it,” Patra stated.
#WATCH | BJP MP Sambit Patra says "Today we are here to discuss news from Tamil Nadu, it is about a hooch tragedy, illicit liquor from Kallakurchi, a district of Tamil Nadu…When I came to hold this press conference and was checking the figures, the number of dead was 56. More… pic.twitter.com/ldHaFYjZM9
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2024
In response to the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu police have arrested Sivakumar, an employee at a chemical factory near Chennai, who is believed to be a major methanol supplier to the Kallakurichi bootleggers. The initial probe revealed that a 19-year-old youth, Mahesh, had provided information leading to Sivakumar’s arrest. Mahesh reportedly procured methanol from Sivakumar using the GST number of Shakthivel, a hotel owner from Panruti in Cuddalore district, in exchange for a commission. This allowed Mahesh to create fake bills to facilitate the transaction.
Additionally, police have arrested four individuals—Gautham, Banjilal, Ramkuar, and Paramasivam—on charges of stocking 1,500 litres of chemical solvents in a private godown in Vadaperumbakkam, Thiruvallur district. The gang, employed in different chemical units, reportedly stored the chemicals and sold them at inflated prices after pilfering them from trucks. Police suspect Gautham had connections with Sivakumar, the primary supplier.
பேரல் பேரலா ஊறல்
விடியலின் வினை… pic.twitter.com/MWjiY2ugw7— பித்தன் (@agricultural78) June 23, 2024
The Tamil Nadu police have also begun a major crackdown on illicit liquor, destroying barrels of illicit brew that were kept for fermentation. Videos circulating on social media show police destroying the barrels, highlighting the prevalence of illegal liquor under the current administration.
One particularly disturbing video shows young children being given what appears to be liquor in tumblers, which they drink like habitual users. This has raised further concerns about the social impact of the illicit liquor trade and the effectiveness of government measures to control it.
