The Prohibition and Excise police, who are investigating into Friday's hooch tragedy, suspect that one of the deceased, Edi Subramanyam might have mixed sedatives in liquor.
The Excise and Police Department sleuths have sent the viscera samples and the empty liquor bottles seized on the spot to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the result is expected in a couple of days.
Prohibition and Excise Director (Enforcement) D.S. Chowhan, who is camping in Vijayawada, along with in-charge Deputy Commissioner S.M. Rajeswara Rao, and Excise Superintendent B. Srilatha questioned T. Prakash, R. Nagaraju, Subramanyam's friend Aravind, relatives of the deceased and locals.
The officials collected about 150 samples from the toddy shops where Subramanyam used to purchase very often. The Excise police also checked the IML liquor shops in Brahmana Veedhi and the neighbouring areas on Saturday.
“Subramanyam was addicted to Illicitly Distilled (ID) liquor, toddy, and narcotic drugs due to family problems.
He also worked in a medical shop for some time earlier. We suspect that Subramanyam has mixed some strong sedatives in the liquor for ‘extra kick”, said an officer who is investigating the case.
Blood samples
Blood samples of Prakash and Nagaraju were also collected for examination and the condition of the two is stable. Cause of the deaths will be known only after the FSL report comes, Mr. Chowhan told newsmen.
Prakash and Nagaraju survived as they consumed less quantum of liquor, according to the eyewitnesses.
