Arvind Kejriwal claimed there is a business of thousands of crores of liquor in Gujarat.(File)
Aam Admi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday met people and their families who fell ill after drinking spurious liquor, in Botad district.
At least 28 people died due to the consumption of chemical-laced liquor or spurious liquor in Gujarat's Botad district.
"A very sad incident came to my knowledge that more than 25 people have died in Bhavnagar after drinking spurious liquor and several others are admitted to the hospitals. I wish them a speedy recovery," said Arvind Kejriwal.
The chief minister further questioned the Gujarat government that if the state is a dry state then how is alcohol being sold openly in the state and who is benefitting from this?
"Why is the state government not looking after this or is there any internal conspiracy behind it?" he said.
He further claimed, that there is a business of thousands of crores of liquor in Gujarat.
After meeting victims and their families, Arvind Kejriwal alleged that "This is not the first time people of Gujarat have died due to spurious liquor".
"People's lives are at stake," said Arvind Kejriwal.
He met people and their families who fell ill after drinking spurious liquor in Gujarat's Bhavnagar.
The number of deaths due to the consumption of chemical-laced liquor or spurious liquor in Gujarat's Botad district has gone up to 28 while three First Information Report (FIRs) have been registered at Barwala, Ranpur and Ahmedabad Rural, informed the officials. Over a dozen were hospitalised due to the consumption of spurious liquor. A Committee to inquire into the incident of chemical misuse in Botad, Banvala and Dhandhuka Talukas has been formed.
"A total of 28 people have died in the tragedy. The chemical was directly mixed with water and consumed by people, 600 litres of this was sold at Rs 40,000," informed the Director general of police (DGP), Ashish Bhatia.
DGP Ashish Bhatia also informed that the local police will constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) over the matter.
"Three FIRs registered at Barwala, Ranpur and Ahmedabad Rural...Local Police will constitute SIT," he added. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi took note of the situation and chaired a meeting regarding the case.
The incident came to light last night when several people were rushed to hospitals after consuming liquor infused with dangerous chemicals.
Further investigation is under process.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)