At least 15 people have died in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad after consuming spurious liquor over the last three days, police said on Friday. Eight people have been arrested, including the main accused, Karnal Singh Virkha. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the police commissioners of both cities to conduct a coordinated investigation and find the cause of the deaths, vowing to punish all those responsible.

Opposition leaders have alleged a failure in law enforcement, with Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar vandalising a liquor store in protest and accusing the police of a cover-up to protect a “big fish”.

Preliminary investigations found that a Yogesh Wankhede brought ethanol from Mumbai without permission and mixed it to prepare the spurious liquor at a location in Hadapsar and then supplied it to four vendors operating in the Dapodi, Hadapsar, and Chatushrungi areas.

The first five deaths occurred on Wednesday (May 27), seven on Thursday (May 28), and three on Friday (May 29, 2026) morning. Some patients are still undergoing treatment in hospitals. Deaths have been reported from Dapodi, Phugewadi, Hadapsar, and Kalepadal.

Overnight raids

The police have arrested eight people and said that more arrests are likely soon. The Excise Department has joined the investigation and raids were conducted at multiple liquor shops in the city overnight. The location where the liquor was prepared and the areas where it was sold are under investigation.

Residents have expressed anger at the police and administration, alleging that liquor prepared without a permit was sold in the area. Former Pimpri Chinchwad mayor Yogesh Behl, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, which is part of the State’s ruling alliance, has demanded a probe, alleging that citizens have died because the police turn a blind eye towards such businesses.

‘Police protecting big fish’

Opposition leaders have also alleged a failure in the State’s law enforcement Mr. Rohit Pawar and NCP(SP) workers vandalised a liquor store, breaking the counter, removing the signage and damaging the premises. He demanded action against the store owners, holding them responsible for a mass massacre. Mr. Pawar also expressed doubts about the police investigation, accusing the police of trying to protect someone. The accused had been asked to surrender to the police to allow a “big fish” to escape, he claimed.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also criticised the law-and-order situation in Maharashtra, alleging that authorities have taken action only for “show.”