The death toll from the consumption of illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu has risen to 19. The alleged incident occurred in Ekkiyarkuppam, a small fishing hamlet in the Villupuram district. A significant number of fatalities were also reported in Sithamur, Chengalpattu district.
Amaran, who is thought to be the main suspect in the case, was apprehended by police yesterday. Based on his confession, the police were looking for Muthu, a bootlegger who was absconding. However, today he was arrested near Tiindivanam based on his mobile location. According to reports, he was apprehended by police while on his way to surrender before the court.
Muthu admitted to the police that he bribed Excise Inspector, SI, L&O Inspector, his driver, Marakkanam Inspector, SI, Head Constable, and a few others in the police department, and that he gave the police more than half of his profits.
He also stated that he receives supplies from Raja alias ‘Maroor’ Raja, the husband of DMK 20th ward councilor Ramya, who is known for his association with DMK minister Masthaan. He went on to say that police on patrol would not stop Maroor Raja’s vehicle, which was carrying illegal liquor.
Minnambalam has quoted a police source as saying that when an illicit liquor consignment of Maroor Raja was stopped last year, Rizwan, son-in-law of DMK Minister Masthaan interfered and ensured that the consignment was released without any case.
DMK Minister Masthan Prevented Charging Marroor Raja With Goondas
On 18th April, Maroor Raja was arrested from his home by a special team. Illicit liquor, bottles, and other machines were seized from his house. Later, he was remanded in judicial custody and lodged in the Tindivanam sub-jail. However, he controlled the illicit liquor network even while he was inside the jail.
Though it is a usual procedure to slap Goondas Act on those criminals arrested for selling spurious liquor, police did not charge Maroor Raja with Goondas due to pressure from Minister Masthan.
When the fact is that a DMK acquaintance was involved in the illicit liquor network in Tamil Nadu, DMK Student Wing president Rajiv Gandhi, who is fondly called ‘Paint Dappa’ by his Naam Tamilar friends, has attempted to divert attention from his party’s failure to control illegal liquor sales by claiming that the illegal liquor sale was carried out by an ADMK member.
He said that the owner of a shop from where illicit liquor was sold belongs to AIADMK and hence AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami should be held responsible.
விழுப்புரத்தில் விஷச்சாராயமாக மாறிய கள்ளச்சாராய கடையின் முதலாளி ஆறுமுகம் என்கிற அதிமுககாரர்!@EPSTamilNadu வாயை திறங்க…
உங்க பழைய தொழில் என்பதால் இந்த கள்ள மௌனமா?
— R.Rajiv Gandhi (@rajiv_dmk) May 15, 2023
It is worth noting that the Tindivanam AIADMK MLA warned the police about illegal liquor and ganja sales a few months ago. He did, in fact, send the police a WhatsApp message about it.
He noted that in Karippalayam area which comes under his constituency four members namely Logu and his sons Gnanavel, Murali, and Selvam were involved in selling illicit liquor and ganja near schools. He also mentioned that public have already complained about the menace.
However, no action was taken because the perpetrators were close to DMK leaders. This video of an AIADMK MLA addressing the police’s inaction despite his complaint has been shared by AIADMK members in response to DMK Rajiv Gandhi’s tweet.
தம்பி @rajiv_dmk வேறு பொய்கள் பேச முயற்ச்சிகவும்.#அஇஅதிமுக திண்டிவனம் சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினர் திரு. அர்ஜூனன் மரக்காணம் பகுதிகளில் கள்ளச்சாராயம் கஞ்சா விற்பனை பற்றி காவல் துறைக்கு தெரிவித்த பின்னரும் நடவடிக்கை இல்லை. கள்ள சாராயம் விற்பனை செய்தவர்கள் திமுகவினரிடம் காட்டும் நெருக்கம். https://t.co/NhT6alhsMd pic.twitter.com/cEFBYu0flk
— Kovai Sathyan (@KovaiSathyan) May 15, 2023
Many have questioned whether the ₹10 lakh solatium given by the DMK government was an attempt to silence the families of the deceased to not reveal information.
(With inputs from Minnambalam)
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