Samastipur, Bihar – A father’s life ended and his son’s world went dark after they drank contaminated country liquor in what police call a brazen case of adulteration. The duo fell victim to a deadly batch laced with toxic chemicals, reigniting fears over illegal alcohol peddling in the prohibition-hit state.
The ordeal began when Ramu Yadav, 48, and his son Ravi shared a bottle of locally brewed hooch with friends after a hard day’s work in the fields. What seemed like a moment of respite turned fatal as excruciating pain gripped them soon after. Ramu collapsed at home, foaming at the mouth, while Ravi screamed in agony, clutching his eyes.
Rushed to a government hospital, Ramu was declared dead on arrival due to organ failure induced by methanol poisoning. Ravi, battling intense vision loss, was transferred to Patna for specialized care, but specialists confirmed permanent blindness from optic nerve damage. ‘It’s a miracle he survived,’ said the attending physician.
In response, a special task force swung into action, demolishing two clandestine units producing the killer liquor. Four suspects, including a key supplier, are in custody, with interrogations revealing a network sourcing industrial alcohol from neighboring districts.
Bihar’s dry law, aimed at curbing alcoholism, has instead fueled a black market worth crores, experts say. Similar tragedies have claimed over 100 lives statewide in recent months, with Samastipur emerging as a hotspot. Activists blame lax policing and demand DNA testing of seized samples for swift justice.
The Yadav family, now destitute, seeks government aid and justice. Ravi’s dreams of supporting his siblings shattered, he vows to fight for accountability. As funerals echo with cries of outrage, this case serves as a stark reminder: until the roots of illicit liquor are uprooted, more lives hang in the balance.