The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken swift action in response to the tragic hooch incident in Sangrur, Punjab, by demanding an immediate report from the state’s chief secretary and director general of police through the Punjab chief electoral officer (CEO). According to information provided by the EC, the death toll has risen to approximately 20 people, with an additional 20 individuals undergoing treatment in various hospitals across Sangrur and Patiala districts. The Punjab CEO has initiated communication with the chief secretary and DGP, urging them to furnish both a preliminary and detailed report on the incident without delay to inform the EC about the situation. Among the victims, 16 have tragically lost their lives allegedly due to consuming spurious liquor in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district of Sangrur. Meanwhile, 17 others remain hospitalized in Sangrur and Patiala, under close observation. Dr. Kartar Singh, the civil surgeon of Sangrur, confirmed the current status of patients, with seven still admitted in Sangrur, five in Government Medical College, Patiala, and two opting for private hospitals against medical advice. The deceased individuals hail from various villages, including Gujran, Tibbi Ravidaspura, and Sunam constituency, reflecting the widespread impact of the tragedy. The incident has sparked criticism from the Opposition, with demands for accountability and a thorough investigation. Four arrests have been made in connection with the distribution of spurious liquor, prompting state BJP president Sunil Jakhar to call for decisive action. Similarly, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has expressed concern over the escalating death toll and urged the intervention of Sangrur police. Meanwhile, the Pendu Mazdoor Union (Krantikari) staged a protest outside the deputy commissioner’s office, demanding justice and questioning the availability of spurious liquor in the Chief Minister’s district. As investigations continue and public outrage grows, there are heightened calls for swift justice and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In light of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s recent arrest on charges related to corruption linked to the scrapped Delhi excise policy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab has intensified its call for investigation into alleged corruption within the Punjab excise policy. On Saturday, a delegation led by state chief Sunil Jakhar met with Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C, urging the Election Commission to order a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to uncover corruption allegedly sponsored by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Bhagwant Mann.

Jakhar, in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, emphasized the urgency of the probe in light of recent court rulings and observations regarding corruption in the Delhi excise policy. He accused the Mann government of facilitating plunder of Punjab’s resources through an illegal excise policy, allegedly orchestrated by the AAP leadership in Delhi, who are now incarcerated.

The BJP delegation raised concerns over potential revenue loss amounting to at least Rs 1,000 crore due to the alleged corruption in Punjab’s excise policy. They highlighted the suspicious awarding of contracts to companies involved in the Delhi excise scandal, suggesting collusion between the state government and the liquor industry.

Moreover, the memorandum expressed apprehension regarding the use of black money obtained through kickbacks to influence voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The delegation urged the Election Commission to ensure the safety of Punjab excise department officers coerced by the AAP leadership and to investigate the smuggling of liquor facilitated by the state government. Given the recent hooch tragedy in Sangrur, where both Chief Minister Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema hold legislative seats, the BJP stressed the need for immediate action to safeguard the integrity of Punjab’s electoral process.

The BJP delegation included several prominent figures such as Union Minister Som Prakash, former union minister Vijay Sampla, and former state BJP presidents Ashwani Sharma and Manoranjan Kalia, among others. Their plea for an ED probe underscores the escalating political tensions surrounding allegations of corruption in Punjab’s excise policy, setting the stage for a potentially contentious investigation ahead of the elections.