CID files chargesheet against nine arrested in Hadapsar-Dapodi hooch tragedy, invokes MCOCA

Pune, October 30, 2026: The state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet in the Hadapsar-Dapodi hooch tragedy, in which 22 people died between May 26 and 28 this year. The chargesheet is against the nine accused who have been arrested.

One suspect is still absconding. A special team has been formed to catch the person and is currently searching for the suspect.

The chargesheet was submitted to the special court constituted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Provisions of the same law were invoked against the accused in August 2026. The CID has also invoked MCOCA against the absconding suspect, along with the nine arrested accused.

CID Additional Director General of Police Sunil Ramanand said the investigation had brought out the entire supply chain of the illicit liquor. It includes the procurement of illicit liquor, its adulteration with methanol and its sale through local vendors.

It is alleged that the liquor was obtained from Radheshyam Prajapati of Uruli Kanchan. Yogesh Ramchandra Wahankade, alias Sikandar Rathod, then allegedly mixed methanol into it, and the liquor was supplied to local vendors.

Investigators also traced the methanol supply to a company's warehouse in Bhiwandi. The CID raided that warehouse and the company's office in Navi Mumbai. The company's owner Arun Choubey (59) and his son Abhishek (34) were arrested for their alleged role in the illegal supply.

The agency has also arrested other accused linked to the supply chain and sale of the poisonous liquor. According to Ramanand, Datta alias Bhau Londhe has also been arrested. He has been described as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate that made, transported and sold illicit liquor.

After the deaths, the Hadapsar and Dapodi police had initially registered separate cases. The state government later handed the investigation over to the CID.