A chilling investigation into the toxic liquor tragedy in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has revealed that 22 people allegedly died over an illicit profit of just ₹6,600, after methanol was mixed into country liquor to increase volume and maximise returns.
The incident has triggered outrage across Maharashtra, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis taking serious note of the case. Action has also been initiated against several police personnel amid allegations that illegal liquor operations were allowed to function unchecked.
According to investigators, prime accused Yogesh Wankhede allegedly sourced country liquor from an illegal distillation unit run by Raju Prajapati in Uruli Kanchan before distributing it to local liquor dens. Police said Wankhede mixed methanol directly into the liquor to increase the quantity and boost profits, turning the brew lethal.
April 29, 2026: Investigators said Wankhede allegedly procured 215 litres of methanol using a fake Aadhaar card for ₹17,500.
May 9, 2026: He reportedly purchased five drums of country liquor for ₹9,500.
May 23, 2026: At the illegal distillation site in Uruli Kanchan, the liquor was diluted with water to increase the stock from five drums to ten. Police said a substantial quantity of methanol was then mixed into the batch, taking the total to 12 drums of toxic liquor.
The investigation found the accused spent ₹27,000 in total and sold the methanol-laced liquor for ₹33,600, pocketing a profit of ₹6,600. Police said the toxic liquor was allegedly supplied to distributors in Phugewadi, Hadapsar and Dapodi. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities probing the wider supply chain and the alleged lapses that allowed the illegal trade to continue.
