Spurious toddy deaths: Toll rises to 7, 51 hospitalised; 6 suffer kidney damage
Officials suspect that chemical adulterants such as methanol, chloral hydrate or alprazolam were mixed in the toddy
By Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Consumption of spurious toddy in Kukatpally has claimed seven lives so far, while 51 people remain hospitalised in various hospitals across Hyderabad.
Two more die, six on dialysis
Two victims succumbed late on Thursday, taking the death toll to seven. One of them died in Nagarkurnool district.
According to health officials, 34 patients are receiving treatment at Nizamās Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), while 11 are admitted to Gandhi Hospital. The remaining are undergoing treatment in private hospitals.
Six patients at NIMS have been put on dialysis due to severe kidney damage.
Beds kept ready as influx rises
NIMS authorities have arranged additional beds anticipating a further rise in admissions. Special medical teams have been deployed at both NIMS and Gandhi Hospital to handle the crisis. Four bodies were handed over to their families after post-mortem at Gandhi Hospital.
Toddy laced with methanol, chloral hydrate or alprazolam
Officials suspect that chemical adulterants such as methanol, chloral hydrate or alprazolam were mixed in the toddy. Toxicology reports are awaited for confirmation.
The victims had consumed toddy on July 6 and 7 in Kukatpally and the surrounding areas. They began experiencing symptoms like diarrhoea, low blood pressure, dizziness, and fatigue from July 8 onwards.
Political leaders blame government
Opposition leaders visited the hospitals and alleged that the government was underreporting the death toll and the number of affected persons.
Former excise minister and BRS leader demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation for each of the deceased families.
BJP State president Ramchandra Rao demanded a thorough investigation, blaming government failure for the tragedy and highlighting the kidney failures among victims as evidence of extreme adulteration.
Human Rights Commission seeks report
Taking suo motu cognisance, the Telangana Human Rights Commission has directed the Revenue Department to submit a detailed report by August 20. The Prohibition and Excise Department has sealed multiple toddy shops and arrested five persons in connection with the case.
516 adulteration cases in 2025 so far
Data reveals that Telangana has reported 39,176 toddy-related incidents since 2014, with 13,338 people falling ill due to adulteration and illegal brewing.
In the first half of 2025 alone, 516 adulteration cases were registered, compared to 2,964 in 2024 and 4,832 in 2023.
Over the past decade, authorities seized 47 lakh litres of spurious toddy, often found mixed with chemicals like chloral hydrate, alprazolam and diazepam to enhance potency.
