Ludhiana-based methanol supplier in police net

LUDHIANA/AMRITSAR: Punjab Police have arrested the Ludhiana-based paint store owner in connection with the state’s worst hooch tragedy that has so far claimed over 100 lives.

As per director general of police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, accused Rajeev Joshi was nabbed late on Monday, following which he revealed that he had supplied three drums of methanol (methyl alcohol), which were used to make the spurious alcohol, to Prabhdeep Singh, nephew of Ravinder Anand of Moga, who is further linked with Avtar Singh --- all accused in the case. The police are tracking the leads given by Joshi, who was reportedly procuring different types of alcohol and spirits from various places in Punjab and Delhi.

With Joshi and two other key players in the net, the number of arrests in the case has gone up to 40 – including 21 accused from Tarn Taran, 10 from Amritsar (rural) and 9 from Batala in Gurdaspur district.

Since July 31, 563 raids have been conducted in the three districts under five FIRS, including one in Batala, two in Amritsar and two in Tarn Taran.

The DGP said one absconding accused, identified as Dharminder of Hathi Gate in Batala, was arrested on Tuesday. The DGP said 50 litres of alcohol was seized from him.