CBI takes up probe into Kallakurichi hooch tragedy 

Pyres are readied for mass cremation of victims who had consumed hooch at Karunapuram in Kallakurichi town. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered three First Information Reports and taken up the probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that claimed 68 lives in the district.

Also read | Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Supreme Court clears decks for CBI probe

The Special Task Branch (STB), CBI Chennai, re-registered these FIRs in pursuance of the order of the Supreme Court dated December 17, 2024 upholding the order of a Division Bench of the Madras High Court. Last November, while disposing of a batch of writ petitions, the High Court had directed the CBI probe into the case after transferring the case that was handled the CB-CID.

The consumption of illicit arrack was first was reported on June 18, 2024 and as days passed by, the toll climbed to 68. The then Kallakurichi district SP was suspended for his failure to curb the sale of illicit arrack in his jurisdiction.

Also read | Kallakurichi hooch tragedy 2024: A pall of gloom

Kannukutty alias Govindaraj of Karunapuram is the mastermind behind the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy case and over 21 persons, including Kannukutty, were arrested by the police in connection with the incident. The cases were registered under Sections of the IPC for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, poisoning a person, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act.