The Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department has filed a chargesheet against nine arrested accused in the Hadapsar-Dapodi toxic liquor tragedy, which claimed 22 lives between May 26 and 28, 2026. The agency has invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused and one suspect who remains absconding.
The chargesheet was filed before the special court designated under MCOCA, according to CID additional director general of police Sunil Ramanand. A special team has been formed to trace the absconding suspect, while the nine arrested accused are facing proceedings under the organised crime law.
The CID investigation found an alleged illegal liquor supply chain involving the procurement of illicit liquor, adulteration with methanol and distribution through local sellers. Investigators have identified Radheshyam Prajapati of Uruli Kanchan as the alleged source from whom the illicit liquor was procured.
The liquor was allegedly adulterated with methanol by Yogesh Ramchandra Vhankade, also known as Sikandar Rathod, before being supplied to local vendors. The investigation also traced the methanol supply to a company warehouse in Bhiwandi, in Thane district.
The CID raided the warehouse and the company’s office in Navi Mumbai. The company’s owner, Arun Choubey, 59, and his son, Abhishek Choubey, 34, were arrested for their alleged role in the illegal supply, the agency said. Other accused linked to the supply chain and sale of the toxic liquor were also arrested.
Datta alias Bhau Londhe, identified by investigators as the alleged leader of the syndicate, has also been arrested. The CID said he was involved in the manufacture, transportation and sale of illicit liquor.
The case began with separate investigations by the Hadapsar and Dapodi police after the deaths were reported. The state government later transferred the investigation to the CID. The agency subsequently invoked MCOCA against the nine arrested accused and the absconding suspect in August 2026.
The chargesheet brings the investigation before the special MCOCA court while the search for the remaining suspect continues. The case places the supply, adulteration and distribution chain under a single organised-crime investigation rather than treating the deaths as isolated local incidents.
