Surat suspected hooch deaths: Probe panel led by ADGP visits hospital, held meeting with officials

Surat: The 3 member committee set up by the Gujarat government to probe the suspected hooch tragedy related deaths in Surat district which has claimed at least 17 lives in around a week’s time, today visited civil hospital here and met some of the victims and also held a meeting with district authorities.

The three-member panel, headed by Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) V.M. Pargi with Prohibition & Excise Department Director B.K. Kumar, and Forensic Science Laboratory Director M.S. Dahiya as other two members had meetings with the IGP Surat range and In-charge collector in this connection.

Mr Pargi later told newsmen that the panel met some of the affected people who were admitted in the hospital and also had preliminary round of discussions with various officials of the district administration.

‘We had a meeting with the IGP Surat range and the In-charge collector. We want to ascertain the exact reason of deaths with full accuracy. The findings will be handed over to the state government in the form of a report,’ Mr Pargi said.

The high level probe panel was appointed by the state government to provide a complete picture and real reason behind the deaths that happened over a period of a week in and around Vareli village of the district. The deaths prima facie seem to be a result of consumption of spurious liquor. The committee has been given 3 days time for submission of its report.

Meanwhile the district unit of the main opposition Congress party had given a bandh call locally tomorrow to protest the incident.

DeshGujarat