State CID arrests Navi Mumbai man and son for supplying toxic chemicals used in spurious liquor linked to Pune hooch tragedy

Pune: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday arrested a man and his son from Navi Mumbai for allegedly supplying toxic chemicals to an illicit liquor seller in Pune linked to the hooch tragedy that claimed 20 lives between May 26 and 28.

CID officers identified the arrested as Arun Jagdish Choubey (51) and his son Abhishek (34) of Nerul in Navi Mumbai. They were produced before a Pimpri court, which remanded them to four days of police custody. With these arrests, the total number of accused apprehended in the case has risen to 10.

Of the total casualties, 16 were reported from Dapodi-Phugewadi, while four from Hadapsar.

Special inspector general of police (CID) Sudhir Hiremath said the arrests were made after investigators traced the supply chain of the chemicals. “The Choubeys operated a chemical distribution business in Navi Mumbai. The prime suspect in the case, Yogesh Wankhede, searched online for methanol suppliers and contacted several vendors. While most suppliers insisted on proper documentation, the Choubeys accepted only an Aadhaar card and address proof. They supplied methanol via a courier service without maintaining any transaction records,” Hiremath said.

Investigators have also seized CCTV footage, cellphones and other material evidence, which has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Pune for detailed examination.

SUBHEAD: PCMC issues demolition notice over illegal structure linked to hooch case arrested accused

Alim Shaikh

Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has issued a demolition notice to the family of Karnail Singh Virka, one of the accused arrested in connection with the recent illicit liquor deaths case, over an unauthorised structure in Phugewadi that was allegedly being used for the illegal liquor trade.

The notice, issued on Tuesday by the civic body’s slum eradication and rehabilitation department, directed the occupants to remove the structure within 24 hours, failing which the corporation will undertake demolition action.

Anna Bodade, deputy municipal commissioner and head of the department, said the civic administration inspected the site following complaints about illegal construction.

“During verification, the structure was found to be unauthorised. A show-cause-cum-demolition notice has been issued and action will be taken if the occupants fail to remove it voluntarily,” Bodade said.

According to civic officials, the structure, measuring approximately 400-500 sqft, comprises both permanent and temporary portions. The notice also warned the occupants about possible legal action for violating civic regulations.

“The property is situated in a densely populated slum area of Phugewadi with narrow access lanes, which may create logistical challenges during the demolition process,” a civic official said.

Police investigations revealed that Virka allegedly received consignments of illicit liquor at the premises during the early hours and sold them to customers, most of whom belonged to the working-class population in the locality.