Ram Babu, Mastermind Of Bihar Hooch Tragedy That Killed 38, Arrested In Delhi

The Bihar Police has previously arrested at least 14 persons in connection with the Saran hooch tragedy case that claimed 38 lives as per the official figures put out by the Bihar government.

Delhi Police's Crime Branch arrests Ram Babu in Delhi | File Photo of family members of those died after consuming spurious liquor mourning near their mortal remains, at Ishuapur police station area in Bihar's Saran district. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: The Delhi Police's Crime Branch arrested Ram Babu, the alleged mastermind of the recent hooch tragedy in Bihar's Saran, on Friday. This arrest comes after the Bihar Police said it arrested another "mastermind" last week in connection with the Saran hooch tragedy case that claimed 38 lives as per the figures put out by the Bihar government.

While official figures put the death toll at 38, other reports claim that the fatalities crossed 75-mark.

"Ram Babu Mahto is one of the most wanted accused in two cases registered at PS Mashrak, and PS Isuapur of Saran district. As per reports around 80 people died in these tragic incidents related to sale and consumption of spurious liquor," Delhi Police Crime Branch stated, as per news agency ANI.

"As per the info available so far, he is involved in several cases of illicit liquor. He has been arrested from Dwarka area of Delhi. Appropriate legal action is being taken and info about his arrest has been shared with Bihar Police for further action," the police added.

Following the arrest, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he has ordered to take strict actions against the accused.

"(Bihar) Government is keeping a close watch. We have been investigating this case right after the incident took place. The majority of people are in favour of the liquor ban. I have ordered to take strict actions against the accused," he said, as quoted by ANI.

 

Last week, a special investigation team, constituted by the state police in the incident, apprehended a homoeopathy compounder, who was also accused of being the mastermind of the hooch tragedy, as per Saran Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar's statement.

"Police seized a vehicle, used for transporting chemicals from Uttar Pradesh and supplying liquors in and around Masrakh in Saran. Empty bottles of chemicals that were used in manufacturing spurious liquor were also recovered on Friday," the SP said, as per PTI.

The Bihar Police has arrested at least 14 persons in connection with the case.

During interrogation, the arrested persons admitted that they supplied spurious liquor made of homoeopathy medicines in Saran district, the SP said. One of the accused had also consumed the same liquor, but he survived after the treatment, he added.

"Police have recovered a large number of empty bottles of chemicals that were used in manufacturing the spurious liquor from Doela area of Saran," the SP said.

Action has already been taken against station house officer (SHO) and other officials of Mashrakh police station in Saran.

The sale and consumption of liquor were banned in Bihar in 2016.

(With Agency Inputs)