Bhavnagar Spurious Liquor Case: 13 Arrested as Probe Unearths Methanol-Laced Fake Royal Stag

Bhavnagar: The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has arrested 13 people in connection with the spurious liquor case in Bhavnagar, in which people allegedly consumed methanol-laced liquor sold in bottles bearing fake Royal Stag stickers. Police have recovered liquor bottles, chemicals allegedly used to manufacture the spurious liquor, colouring agents, stickers, bottle caps, sticker rolls and packaging material from the accused. The death toll in the case has risen to 8, while over 35 people are hospitalised and undergoing treatment.

The case initially came to light after an accidental death was registered at Vartej Police Station on August 18, 2026. During the investigation, police found that the deceased and other affected persons had allegedly consumed liquor from a bottle carrying a Royal Stag sticker, which was found to contain a high concentration of methanol.

Considering the seriousness of the case, Gujarat DGP G.S. Malik directed the State Monitoring Cell to take over the investigation. Police Inspector S.M. Jadeja of the SMC subsequently assumed charge of the probe and formed multiple teams to track down those allegedly involved in the manufacture, procurement and distribution of the spurious liquor.

21 accused booked

Police have registered a case against 21 accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The sections invoked include Sections 105, 123, 61(2), 3(5), 274, 275, 345(3) and 349 of the BNS, along with Sections 65, 65A(2), 65A(3), 67(1)(A), 81 and 83 of the Prohibition Act.

The SMC said 13 accused have so far been arrested, while teams have been formed to trace the remaining accused and others whose involvement has emerged during the investigation.

According to police, the material recovered during the investigation was allegedly procured from different parts of the country through transport networks.

13 accused arrested

The arrested accused have been identified as:

1. Gautam Solanki, 24, resident of Amliwadi, Vartej, Bhavnagar.
2. Jatin Kambad, 21, resident of Paliad, Bhavnagar.
3. Saras Solanki, 25, resident of Amliwadi, Vartej, Bhavnagar.
4. Paras alias Pappu Laljibhai Chudasama, 30, resident of Sodavadara, Bhavnagar.
5. Mandeep­sinh Prithvirajsinh Gohil, 20, resident of Kharkadi, Bhavnagar.
6. Dharmendrasinh alias Dhamo Batuksinh Gohil, 30, resident of Kharkadi, Bhavnagar.
7. Jaydeep Jivraj Makwana, 27, resident of Kumbharwada area, Bhavnagar.
8. Harsh alias Hasu Rohitbhai Chauhan, 25, resident of Bhavnagar.
9. Vivek Arjan Algotar, 26, resident of Mafatnagar, Bhavnagar.
10. Bhargav Kanaiyalal Bhatt, 29, resident of Subhashnagar, Bhavnagar.
11. Keval alias Sango Rameshbhai Solanki, 25, resident of Bhavnagar.
12. Sukhdev Badhabhai Salat, 25, resident of Ruwa Road, Bhavnagar.
13. Hardik alias Techo Govindbhai Baraiya, 25, resident of Khedutwas, Bhavnagar.

The arrested accused are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation, and police are seeking their remand to establish the complete supply chain, identify other persons involved and determine the source of the chemicals and other materials used in the alleged manufacture of the spurious liquor.

Police issue public warning

The SMC has also issued a public appeal following the recovery of bottles and labels resembling the liquor allegedly consumed in the incident.

People have been advised not to consume any liquor bottle bearing the particular Royal Stag sticker shown by police if they have one in their possession. Police have urged people to pay close attention to the barcode and number printed below it.

Anyone who may have consumed liquor from such a bottle has been advised to immediately undergo a medical examination at the nearest hospital or healthcare facility, even if no symptoms have appeared.

Police have appealed to the public to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious bottle, sticker or liquor-related material to the authorities. DeshGujarat