At least 15 persons have died after consuming spurious liquor in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The police have arrested eight persons, including the main accused, Colonel Virkha Singh. Deaths have been reported from Dapodi, Phugewadi, Hadapsar, and Kalepadal. More arrests are likely, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday (May 29, 2026) morning.
Investigations have revealed that the illicit liquor was prepared at a single location in Hadapsar and then distributed to multiple parts of Pune. According to officials, Yogesh Wankhede brought ethanol from Mumbai without permission and mixed it to prepare the spurious liquor. He then supplied it to four vendors operating in Dapodi, Hadapsar and Chatushrungi areas.
The police arrested eight persons, including Colonel Virkha Singh, in connection with the deaths. The accused face strict sections of the law. The police have stated that more persons may be detained. The Excise Department has joined the investigation. Raids were conducted at multiple liquor shops in the city overnight. The location where the liquor was prepared and the areas where it was sold are under investigation.
PI Patil from Hadapsar police station informed us that on Thursday (May 26), several deaths in Dapodi and Phugewadi areas of Pimpri-Chinchwad were reported. In the Kalepadal area of Pune, three people died. Two people died in Hadapsar. Three more deaths were recorded in the last 48 hours. Akshay Avasarmal died at YCM Hospital. Saurabhappa Bhangari died at Medipoint Hospital. Bhimappa Baswant Pujari died during treatment.
Providing a day-wise breakdown, officials said five deaths occurred on Wednesday (May 27), seven on Thursday (May 26), and the remaining happened on Friday morning (May 29, 2026). Some patients are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Residents have expressed anger at the police administration. They have said that liquor prepared without permit was sold in the area.
Nationalist Congress Party leader and former mayor Yogesh Bahl has demanded an investigation. He said that the police ignored such businesses, and that citizens have died as a result. He has demanded action against the persons responsible.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has contacted the Police Commissioners of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. He has ordered that no accused be left unpunished. Speaking to the media, Mr. Fadnavis said the Police Commissioners of both cities have been instructed to conduct a coordinated investigation. He said orders have been given to find the cause of the deaths without haste.
The deceased have been identified as Rahul Sharad Kshirsagar (45) of Pandhare Mala, Hadapsar; Vijay Bhukurlal Sharma (45) of Sasane Nagar, Hadapsar; Arun Dadar of Hadapsar; Ashok Ramesh Chavan of Kalepadal; Rajesh Rajput of Fugewadi; Pandurang Fuge of Fugewadi; Anand Desai of Fugewadi; Akbar Pathan of Fugewadi; Anand Nikalje of Fugewadi; Subhash Digikar of Pimpri; Akshay Avasarmal of Pimpri; Baba Sheikh of Pimpri; and Rajendra Rathod. Subhash Digikar died at Medipoint Hospital. Akshay Avasarmal died at YCM Hospital.
Published – May 29, 2026 12:33 pm IST
