SAGAR — At least nine people have died and several others have taken ill following the consumption of illicit, toxic alcohol across two villages in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. District authorities confirmed the fatalities in Banda tehsil, situated roughly 30 kilometres from the district headquarters, while investigating whether two additional deaths reported during the same period are linked to the poisoning.
Local representatives reported a higher toll, with Banda legislator Virendra Lodhi stating that 11 individuals have succumbed to the toxic brew and approximately 25 patients were transferred from Banda Civil Hospital to larger medical centres for advanced critical care. The first fatality occurred during the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting health teams to initiate house-to-house medical screenings across the impacted villages.
Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal confirmed that preliminary discussions with villagers point directly to the intake of illegal bootleg liquor. Multiple patients exhibiting severe symptoms, including acute headaches and persistent vomiting, were admitted to Bundelkhand Medical College and Hospital for specialized medical intervention. While official autopsy determinations remain pending, police and administrative officials continue to trace the distribution network responsible for manufacturing and supplying the lethal concoction.