Karnataka liquor deaths are deaths in Karnataka state in India in 1981 by consuming illegal liquor. In July 1981 about 308 people died in Bangalore by illicit liquor.[1] Adulteration of cheap liquor by methyl alcohol resulted in deaths.

Availability of cheap spurious alcohol (known as hooch) is a problem around the Tannery Road area of the Bangalore Cantonment, with many dwellers getting addicted. Notorious bootlegger Marimuthu (who later became a councillor of BBMP) and Ameer Jan were running the operation.[2] Hooch is brewed from industrial alcohol, by separating methyl alcohol and adding water – a risky process which can leave traces of poisonous methyl alcohol. The brew is a slow poison, damaging the kidney and intestines, leading to slow death.[2]

On 7 July 1981, about 300 people (Official figures 229) around the Tannery Road area died as a result of consuming this spurious alcohol. Most of the victims were poor Dalits. Police registered cases against 63 people, but none were convicted or punished. An enquiry commission revealed a connection between some politicians and the bootleggers. A paltry sum of INR1000 (equivalent to INR20,400 in 2023; close to US$200) per family was paid to the victims by the Gundu Rao government.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Deaths From Illegal Liquor Rise to 308 in Southern India". The New York Times. 10 July 1981. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Hanumantharaya, C H (14 December 2012). "The Big Hooch Tragedy". No. Bangalore. Talk. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.


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