Mumbai hooch toll rises to 53, several critical

The death toll in the hooch tragedy here has gone up to 33 even as nine victims continue to be critical, police said on Friday.

Mumbai: The death toll in the hooch tragedy here has gone up to 53 even as nine victims continue to be critical, police said on Friday.

While 13 people died last night in the tragedy that struck on Wednesday, the casualty figure rose to 53 as per the latest update available, said Mumbai Police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni.

He said the police have arrested three persons in this regard and booked them under sections 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc. With intent to commit an offence) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC.

The accused have been identified as Raju Hanmanta Pascar (50), Donald Robert Patel (47) and Gautam Harte (30).

Kulkarni, however, did not give any details on the course of investigation, saying that Crime Branch is handling the case.

The incident occurred at Laxmi Nagar slum near Gamdevi Jurassic park in suburban Malad.

Kulkarni had said details like the kind and make of the liquor, where it was brewed and the number of people who drank it will be known after investigation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last night ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed officials to submit a report within two days.