Hooch case: NHRC issues notice to Maha govt, Mumbai top cop

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to Maharashtra government and the Mumbai police commissioner in connection with the Malwani hooch tragedy that has so far claimed 102 lives, and has asked them to submit factual reports within two weeks.
Taking a suo motu cognisance, the NHRC has observed that if contents of media reports are true, it has raised a serious issue of the violation of human rights of the victims.
Accordingly, it issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Excise Department, Maharashtra government and Mumbai police chief calling for factual reports.
The Commission has asked the concerned authorities to furnish information in respect of ex-gratia relief, if any, paid to the next of the kin of the deceased and to the victims admitted in hospitals.

102 people have died while 40 others remain hospitalised since they consumed the spurious liquor in Malwani area in suburban Malad last Wednesday.
State government has already ordered an inquiry by Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya into the incident, besides announcing compensation of Rs one lakh to the kin of each of the victims who died in the incident.
Police have so far arrested eight persons, including the kingpin Mansoor Ali, alias Atiq who is suspected to have supplied the deadly concoction, in the case.
As part of the investigation, eight personnel attached to Malwani police station were suspended, besides four Excise officials for their alleged negligence/connivance.