In a massive crackdown, the Punjab police have arrested Prabhjeet Singh, the kingpin of the fake liquor racket that resulted in several deaths in Majitha.
According to reports from the Majitha constituency, over a dozen young laborers have died after consuming poisonous liquor in different villages.
Until now, 17 youths had reportedly succumbed to the consumption of spurious alcohol in Tharieval, Marri, and Bhngali villages (Majitha constituency).
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney states, "A tragic accident has occurred in Majitha. We came to know last night that we had reports of 5 villages where the people who had liquor yesterday are in bad shape. We sent our medical teams in haste. Our medical teams are still visiting houses one by one. Whether individuals are showing some symptoms or not, we are getting them hospitalized so that we can save them. 14 individuals have died so far. The government is providing all the assistance possible. We are aiming to ensure that this number of deaths doesn't rise. We have taken the suppliers into custody, and further investigation is on."
Reportedly, six more deaths have been added to the toll, raising the number from 14 to 20.
SSP Amritsar (Rural) Maninder Singh states, "We got the information at about 9:30 pm yesterday that here people have started dying after taking spurious liquor. We immediately took action and rounded up 4 individuals. We arrested the key supplier, Parabjeet Singh. We questioned him and learned about the kingpin supplier, Sahab Singh. We have rounded him up as well. We are probing as to which companies he has purchased this from. We have received strict orders from the Punjab government that strict action should be taken against spurious liquor suppliers. Raids are being conducted. Manufacturers will be rounded up soon. 2 FIRs have been lodged under stringent sessions. Civil administration, and we are going house to house to learn about more people who have taken this so that there should not be further casualties, and people should be saved. 14 deaths have been confirmed, and 6 individuals are currently hospitalized. This tragedy occurred in 5 villages."
An FIR (No. 42 dated 13/5/25) has been registered under Section 105 BNS and 61A of the Excise Act, confirmed by Amritsar Rural SSP.
According to the police report, certain accused have been booked; their names are
- Kulbir Singh alias Jaggu (brother of Prabhjeet)
- Sahib Singh alias Sarai (Maradi Kalan)
- Gurjant Singh
- Ninder Kaur (Thirenwal)
The investigation into the entire network is in progress. The people of Majitha village are extremely annoyed with the incident and call for a proper inquiry and stern punishment of the predators.
The AAP government in Punjab also issued a statement warning the liquor mafias that they would receive strict punishment.