RAJKOT: Six people have died and at least 25 others have been hospitalized after consuming methanol-spiked liquor packaged in " Royal Stag" bottles in Bhavnagar district. The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has taken over the investigation amid questions over an alleged delay in police reporting.

The incident came to light around 3:00 PM on Tuesday following the death of 25-year-old Upendrasinh Gohil at Sir T Hospital in Bhavnagar. Upendrasinh, a resident of Kharkadi village in Ghogha taluka, had attended a gathering on Sunday night with friends Harpalsinh Gohil and Vishwarajsinh Gohil to celebrate Vishwarajsinh's recruitment into the police force.

Vishwarajsinh remains in critical condition at Arham Hospital in Bhavnagar. Investigators suspect that victims across various parts of the district consumed liquor supplied by the same bootlegging network.

Key details surrounding the incident include:

Casualties: Six dead, including Upendrasinh Gohil (25), Kartik Makwana (40), Ghanshyamsinh Jadeja (50), and Narendra Yadav from Madhya Pradesh, who investigators allege was involved in manufacturing the liquor. Hospitalizations: At least 25 individuals hospitalized across the district.

Symptoms: Several patients reported experiencing breathlessness and loss of vision, with officials warning of potential kidney complications. Bhavnagar District Collector Manish Kumar Bansal stated on Wednesday that the administration was notified of the incident at 6:00 PM on Tuesday and subsequently identified affected individuals across the district.

State Monitoring Cell SP Mayur Chavda confirmed on Wednesday evening that the agency has assumed control of the case. Chavda stated, " The liquor was manufactured and sold in Bhavnagar itself and some suspects have been detained in the case."