Karnataka liquor deaths are deaths in Karnataka state in India in 1981 by consuming illegal liquor. In July 1981 about 308 people died in Bangalore by illicit liquor.[1] Adulteration of cheap liquor by methyl alcohol resulted in deaths.[specify]
Availability of cheap spurious alcohol, (known as hooch) is a problem around the Tannery Road area of the Bangalore Cantonment, with many dwellers getting addicted. Notorious bootlegger Marimuthu (who later became a councillor of BBMP) and Ameer Jan were running the racket. Hooch is brewed from industrial alcohol, by separating Methyl Alcohol, and adding water - A dangerous process which can leave traces of poisonous Methyl Alcohol. The brew is slow poison, damaging kidney and intestines, leading to slow death. On 7 July 1981, about 300 people (Official figures 229) around the Tannery Road area died as a result of consuming this spurious alcohol. Most of the victims were poor Dalits. Police registered cases against 63 people, but none were convicted or punished. An enquiry commission revealed a connection between some politicians and the bootleggers. A paltry sum of INR 1000 per family was paid to the victims by the Gundu Rao government.[2]
See also
List of alcohol poisonings in India
References
- ↑ "Deaths From Illegal Liquor Rise to 308 in Southern India". The New York Times. 10 July 1981. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
- ↑ Hanumantharaya, C H (14 December 2012). "The Big Hooch Tragedy". No. Bangalore. Talk. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  | This Indian history-related article is a stub. You can help Bharatpedia by expanding it. |