Over the past three days, at least fifteen people have tragically lost their lives in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad after consuming spurious liquor, authorities confirmed.Police have arrested eight individuals, including the main suspect, Colonel Virkha Singh.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has instructed the police commissioners of both cities to carry out a joint and thorough investigation, ensuring that all responsible persons are punished.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a person named Yogesh Wankhede had procured ethanol from Mumbai without the necessary permissions, prepared the spurious liquor at Hadapsar, and supplied it to vendors operating in Dapodi, Hadapsar, and Chatushrungi.The deaths occurred in phases: five on Wednesday, seven on Thursday, and three on Friday morning.Some victims are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.Overnight, the Excise Department along with the police conducted raids at multiple liquor outlets, and further arrests are expected.Local residents have voiced anger over the illegal sale of unlicensed liquor and criticised authorities for negligence.

Opposition leaders, including Rohit Pawar and Aaditya Thackeray, have accused the police of trying to shield influential people, alleging a serious lapse in law enforcement.The incident has raised concerns over public safety and the regulation of alcoholic beverages in Maharashtra.