Pune, 4th June 2026: The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two key accused from Navi Mumbai for allegedly supplying toxic chemicals used in illicit liquor that claimed more than 20 lives in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The arrested accused have been identified as Arun Jagdamba Chaube (59) and his son Abhishek Arun Chaube (34), both residents of Vashi village in Navi Mumbai. They were produced before a Pimpri court, which remanded them to four days of police custody.
The arrests are linked to the recent toxic liquor tragedy in Dapodi and Hadapsar, where several people died after consuming poisonous country liquor. Following the transfer of the case to the CID, the agency formed 10 investigation teams to probe the incident from multiple angles.
Investigators collected CCTV footage, liquor samples and other technical evidence from various locations. The seized samples have been sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Pune for detailed analysis.
Based on technical findings and evidence gathered during the investigation, CID officials traced the supply of the toxic chemical used in the illicit liquor to the Chaube father-son duo. A CID team subsequently travelled to Navi Mumbai and arrested both accused.
The CID has already arrested 10 other accused in connection with the case and is continuing its investigation to identify the entire supply and distribution network behind the spurious liquor operation.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of CID Additional Director General of Police Sunil Ramanand, Special Inspector General Sudhir Hiremath and Superintendent of Police Shafkat Amna. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sachin Chavan and his team led the arrests.
