Malappuram hooch tragedy: Statement of accused recorded

Wednesday, December 28, 2011: Justice M Rajendran Nair commission probing the Malappuram hooch tragedy, which claimed the lives of 26 people in Vandoor and Kuttippuram areas, on Wednesday, recorded the statements of Dravyan, the prime accused in the case.
Even though Dravyan was asked to appear before the Commission earlier he failed to do so. Meanwhile the Commission had handed over the interim report to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on December 28.
The tragedy took place on September 5, 6 last year. The report clearly pointed that the flaws of the officials resulted in the hooch tragedy. The commission also informed that the possibilities of sabotage cannot be ruled out in the incident.
Hundreds of people who consumed toddy from shops across the district reached hospitals for treatment after they developed symptoms of poisoning.
Two Excise officers have been suspended from service n connection with the hooch tragedy in Vandoor and Kuttippuram areas. Malappuram excise Deputy commissioner and Kuttippuram Assistant excise inspector have been suspended.
The persons who have consumed the liquor from the Vaniyambalam shop had lost their lives. The illicit liquor was brought from Chittoor. The liquor shop contractor Dravyan had been taken into custody in connection with this incident. Reports confirm that the liquor was adulterated using Methanol, which when consumed would prove fatal.