Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 29 : Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshvardhan Sakpal on Friday targeted the Maharashtra government over the illicit liquor deaths case, alleging rampant illegal activities across the state and holding the Home Department responsible.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Sakpal alleged that illicit liquor trade and other illegal activities were flourishing in villages across Maharashtra.
"Across the 43,000 villages of Maharashtra, the sale of illicit liquor is rampant in every single one; every village houses illegal distilleries. Activities like 'Matka' gambling are flourishing, along with other illicit rackets such as the sale of drugs, including opium and cannabis," Sakpal said.
He further targeted the state Home Department, saying, "The person responsible for all of this is Maharashtra's Home Minister. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire Home Department of Maharashtra is currently being run by a 'Pandu Havaldar'."
His remarks came amid the overall death toll in the suspected illicit liquor case in Pune rose to 12, with eight deaths reported in Pimpri-Chinchwad and four in the Hadapsar area under Pune City Police jurisdiction, officials said.
Earlier, Pimpri-Chinchwad Additional Commissioner of Police Basavaraj Teli said a case has been registered in connection with the incident.
"A case has been registered involving the consumption of illicit liquor, which has resulted in the deaths of nine people and hospitalisation of five others. We have arrested four accused in the case, who have been remanded to police custody until June 8 by the court," Teli said.
Meanwhile, Pimpri-Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge termed the incident a "black day" for the city and assured strict action against the illegal liquor trade.
"We got the information that nine people died because of consuming illicit liquor. This is a black day for the city. All the officials of the area will work together to shut down this illegal alcohol trade," Landge told ANI.