Kerala orders judicial probe into liquor deaths

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Wednesday announced a judicial probe into last week’s liquor tragedy that claimed 23 lives in the state’s Malappuram district.

Speaking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting, Achuthanandan said the government would request the Kerala High Court to depute a judge to conduct the probe.

“In case we do not get a sitting judge from the high court, we will look into other ways. Rs.5 lakh would be given to the family of each of those who died. Those who lost their eyesight would be given Rs.4 lakh,” said Achuthanandan.

The entire treatment expenses of those in the hospital would be borne by the state and the educational expenses of the children of the dead would also be taken care by the government, he said.

The victims had consumed toddy, which purportedly contained methyl alcohol, bought from five liquor shops in the Kuttipuram and Wandanoor area of the district, officials said last week.

Among the dead were five people from Tamil Nadu and one from Andhra Pradesh. All the victims were labourers.

Following the incident, all toddy shops in Malappuram and neighbouring Palakkad district have been shut down till further orders. Five people have been arrested for the tragedy.

According to locals, the toddy - a traditional liquor made from either coconut or palm flowers - was mixed with chemicals and herbs to give extra kick.

On Wednesday morning, 127 people who were hospitalised after consuming the spurious toddy were discharged.