Methanol-Laced Bootleg Liquor Kills 20 in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad; Nine Arrested
A major investigation by the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has exposed a deadly bootleg alcohol racket responsible for 20 deaths across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The fatalities occurred after victims consumed illicit liquor spiked with industrial methanol between May 26 and May 28, 2026.
The Paper Trail: Identity Fraud and Methanol Procurement
The CID’s probe revealed a calculated operation to illegally procure industrial chemicals for the bootleg market:
The Fraud: The prime accused, Yogesh Vhankade, allegedly used a forged national identity card under the alias “Pradip Sharma” to bypass chemical purchasing regulations.
The Forgery: A co-suspect, Somnath Gawade, has been arrested for allegedly manufacturing the fake identification document used in the scam.
The Purchase: Using the stolen identity, Vhankade successfully bought approximately 215 liters of pure methanol from a local firm, Rex International Company.
Distribution Network and Current Arrests
Once procured, the lethal chemical was taken to Phursungi, where it was systematically mixed into commercial liquor consignments before being distributed to local illicit suppliers.
The police have arrested nine suspects so far as the crackdown expands:
The Retailers & Distributors: Local suppliers involved in mixing and moving the contaminated alcohol.
The Chemical Suppliers: The owner of Rex International Company and his son have both been taken into police custody for illegally supplying the highly toxic chemical without proper clearance.
The Maharashtra CID is currently auditing Rex International’s corporate financial records and reviewing extensive CCTV footage to trace the full scale of the illegal distribution network.
