Dewas: 13 Deaths in Two Villages Over 20 Days; Families Suspect Spurious Liquor

At least 13 people reportedly died in two villages of Dewas district, Chandana and Binjana, between September 27 and October 16, 2026. Nine deaths were reported from Chandana, about five kilometres from the district headquarters, and four from Binjana. Most of the dead were labourers.

Families of 10 of the deceased say their relatives had consumed liquor before they died, and some are said to have lost their eyesight. Two more people, Kailash Prajapat and Sanjay, fell ill after allegedly drinking and are being treated in Indore. Sanjay's brother says he has lost his eyesight and is in intensive care.

Villagers say four friends drank together in Chandana on October 15 and died the next day. Accounts of the drinking in Binjana differ among families.

Officials have not confirmed spurious liquor as the cause. They have reportedly suggested contaminated water, which villagers dispute, pointing out that women and children who drank the same water were not affected. The family of Rahul Parmar has demanded that the liquor shop in the village be closed.

The deaths have been linked in reports to an earlier suspected liquor tragedy in Sagar district. Until laboratory results are available, the cause remains unconfirmed, and readers should treat the families' claims as allegations. Symptoms such as loss of eyesight are commonly associated with methanol poisoning, which is why medical tests and excise investigation matter. Residents of Dewas are advised not to consume liquor of unknown origin and to take anyone who falls ill after drinking to a hospital immediately.