Hooch tragedy: Another key accused arrested

Another key accused in the hooch tragedy, Rakesh Giri, who allegedly supplied methanol used in preparation of the spurious brew that killed over 130 people, was arrested on Thursday, police said.

"Rakesh, who was absconding, has been arrested from Vadodara," said a police officer investigating the hooch tragedy. He, however, declined to divulge other details, saying the matter was under investigation.

With Rakesh's arrest, the total number of persons booked in the case has risen to 25. Rakesh used to work with his uncle Subhash Giri, an illegal dealer of chemicals. Subhash was arrested on Wednesday, police said.

According to the police, approximately a month ago, Rakesh had supplied methanol to one Jayesh Thakkar. Thakkar passed it on to main accused Vinod Chauhan alias Dagri from Mahemdabad in Kheda district.

Chauhan used methanol to brew the spurious liquor in his village Vanthvadi and then supplied it to Harishankar Kahar and Dadu Charra in the city. Kahar and Charra further distributed it to various dens in various parts of the city.