Thaindian News

Ahmedabad, July 17 (IANS) Vinod Dagri, alleged to be the main supplier of the illicit liquor that led to the death of 136 people here last week, was arrested Friday along with three of his accomplices, police said.
“We arrested Dagri and three of his accomplices early this morning from the outskirts of Ahmedabad. They have been brought to the crime branch office for questioning,” a crime branch official said.

He added that Dagri and his accomplices had been absconding since July 5, when the first person died after consuming the killer brew in Sagrapith locality.

Alleged bootlegger Harishankar Kahar alias Hari Om, who was arrested July 11, had told interrogators that he had purchased 1,000 litres of illicit liquor from Dagri in Mehamdabad.

Three of Kahar’s key accomplices — Vipul Lohar, Uttam Lohar and Himmatsinh — were also arrested by the police July 11. They provided further leads in the investigation carried out to nab the culprits, said the crime branch official.

On Wednesday, the state cabinet approved amendments in the Bombay Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Act, proposing death sentence or life term for those who manufacture and sell illicit liquor.

Gujarat is the country’s only state where sale and consumption of liquor is banned in deference to Mahatma Gandhi, a Gujarati who was passionately opposed to liquor.

This has led to a proliferation of illegal liquor dens, whose home-made brew is mostly consumed by those from low income families who can’t afford high priced drinks available outside the state.