The Justice B. Gokuldas Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the 2024 Kallakurichi illicit arrack tragedy that claimed 69 lives, has held officials across the Prohibition and Excise, Police and Revenue departments responsible for the deaths, as reported in The Hindu.
The Commission’s report was tabled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.
The report found that the tragedy could have been prevented if officials responsible for monitoring and scrutinising the storage, transportation and sale of methanol had properly discharged their duties.
The Commission observed that had the authorities been diligent in monitoring methanol, the “killer chemical substance” could not have made its way from Chennai to Kallakurichi.
Police and Prohibition Enforcement Wing Officials Held Responsible
The Commission also fixed responsibility on police personnel posted in Kallakurichi, Sankarapuram and Kachirapalayam.
Sub-Inspectors, Inspectors and Deputy Superintendents of Police attached to regular police stations in these areas were held responsible for the incident.
Officials of the Prohibition Enforcement Wing in Kallakurichi and Tirukovilur were also held accountable.
The Commission recommended departmental action against officials who were in service immediately after the tragedy.
Revenue Officials Also Face Action
Responsibility was also fixed on officials in the Revenue Department.
Village Assistants, Village Administrative Officers, Revenue Inspectors and Tahsildars of Kallakurichi, Sankarapuram and Kachirapalayam taluks were held responsible.
The Commission recommended that appropriate action, including departmental inquiries, be initiated against the officials concerned.
Rehabilitation of Children Who Lost Parents
The Commission also made recommendations for the rehabilitation of children orphaned by the tragedy.
It called on the government to ensure that these children are provided with education, food and shelter. It further recommended that they be considered for government employment after completing their education.
Separate Prohibition Wing for Kalvarayan Hills
The Commission recommended strengthening enforcement against illicit arrack production in the Kalvarayan Hills, which it identified as the primary source of illicit arrack in the region.
It called for the creation of a separate Prohibition Enforcement Wing exclusively for the Kalvarayan Hills.
The Commission also recommended upgrading the police station at Kariyalur.
Industries Recommended for Kallakurichi
The retired judge further recommended that industries be established in Kallakurichi to create employment opportunities for educated, skilled and unskilled youth in the district.
The recommendations are aimed at addressing both the administrative failures that contributed to the tragedy and the socio-economic conditions linked to the illicit liquor trade.
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