21 people killed after drinking spiked alcohol in state where booze is illegal

dailystar.co.uk:

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post-mortem report."It is not uncommon for people to die after drinking illegally brewed alcohol in India - at least 120 people died in Punjab state in 2020 alone from drinking spiked alcohol.The strict laws around the popular drug in parts of the country including Gujarat mean the industry is often pushed underground and cheap, illegal tipples are mixed with dangerous chemicals such as pesticides to fortify them.The illegal liquor trade has boomed across India since bootleggers don't have to pay tax on the makeshift booze and can sell huge amounts at a cheap rate, often to the very poorest in society.Gujarat is the only Indian province where the manufacture or sale of homemade booze can fetch the ultimate punishment - the death penalty.The banning of alcohol in certain Indian states seems to have had an impact, with the areas that observe prohibition reporting decreased violence against women.States Bihar, Mizoram and Nagaland also ban alcohol, from making it to drinking it, while other states allow it to be manufactured and consumed but have 'dry days' when the practice is banned, such as during religious holidays.Foreign tourists are allowed to drink alcohol while in the western state of Gujarat but they have to apply for a permit online, and only 35 registered shops can sell legally-made booze to tourists looking for a nightcap.READ NEXT: Killer drove to McDonald's with dead girlfriend in boot after sending chilling messages HGV driver who caused fireball crash that looked like bomb blast says sorry from prison Beach boozer opens 'world's smallest' pole.