The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday stated that it has issued notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the state’s police chief concerning the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi district, seeking a report within a week.
The death toll from the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy rose to 58 on Monday, with 219 individuals hospitalized across various facilities.
In an official statement, the NHRC expressed its suo motu cognizance of a media report detailing the deaths caused by “consumption of spurious liquor” in Kallakurichi.
According to reports, numerous individuals, including women, are currently receiving medical treatment, with some in critical condition. The accuracy of the news report, if confirmed, raises significant concerns regarding the violation of the victims’ right to life.
The NHRC emphasized that states possess exclusive authority to regulate the production, manufacturing, possession, transport, purchase, and sale of intoxicating liquors. Consequently, notices have been dispatched to the chief secretary and director general of police of Tamil Nadu, urging a comprehensive report within one week, as stated in their official release.
