Sagar Spurious Liquor Tragedy: 84 Under Treatment, 30 Booked in Madhya Pradesh

September 7, 2026

Sagar, Madhya Pradesh: At least 84 people are undergoing treatment after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, while the tragedy in Banda tehsil has left around a dozen people dead, officials said on Monday.

The incident has triggered a major crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, with authorities ordering inspections of liquor shops, verification of stocks and a detailed investigation into the supply chain. Preliminary findings indicate that the toxic liquor was manufactured outside the area and supplied locally, with methanol contamination detected in the liquor.

84 Patients Under Treatment Across Sagar

Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal said 84 affected people are currently receiving medical treatment.

Of them, 59 patients have been admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College (BMC), 17 are undergoing treatment at the district hospital and seven are admitted to Banda Civil Hospital.

One critically ill patient was airlifted to AIIMS Bhopal for advanced treatment.

Deputy Chief Minister and Sagar district in-charge minister Rajendra Shukla reviewed the situation early Monday and visited the ICU and critical care wards. He also interacted with patients and their family members.

Doctors said the condition of most patients was stable, while the number of new patients arriving for treatment had declined.

Methanol Contamination Detected in Spurious Liquor

The preliminary investigation has indicated that the toxic liquor was manufactured outside the affected area and subsequently supplied locally.

Authorities have detected methanol contamination in the liquor, raising serious concerns over the circumstances in which the suspected counterfeit liquor was manufactured, transported and sold.

The administration said essential medicines, diagnostic facilities and dialysis were being provided to affected patients on priority.

Shukla directed officials to ensure that there was no shortage of medicines or other resources and said negligence in the treatment of victims would not be tolerated.

He also said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was closely monitoring the situation.

30 Named Accused Booked in Two Cases

Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania said police have registered a case against 20 named accused at Banda police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Madhya Pradesh Excise Act, 1915.

The accused have been booked for their alleged involvement in the manufacture, supply and sale of suspected counterfeit and illicit liquor for illegal financial gain.

A separate case has been registered against 10 named accused at Vinayaka police station.

Special police teams have been formed to conduct raids at suspected locations. So far, 10 of the 20 accused in the Banda case have been taken into custody and are being questioned.

Government Orders Crackdown on Illegal Liquor Trade

Following the tragedy, Shukla directed officials to ensure a complete crackdown on the sale of illicit liquor across the district.

Officials have been ordered to inspect liquor shops, verify stocks and investigate the wider illegal liquor network involved in the supply of the suspected spurious liquor.

The minister also directed the police to strengthen the district police administration and ensure effective implementation of the government’s anti-drug campaign.

He assured affected families that the government would ensure the best possible treatment for all victims.

The administration and police are continuing their investigation into the source of the contaminated liquor, its local supply network and the people allegedly involved in its manufacture and sale.