NSHRC takes suo motu cognizance of suspected spurious liquor deaths

Dimapur, September 30 (MExN): The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the media reports concerning the death of several people in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts following the alleged consumption of spurious liquor. The Commission has ordered a comprehensive human rights inquiry into whether there was negligence by public authorities in preventing the tragedy.

In an interim order dated September 30, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Excise and Health Departments, and district administrations of Mokokchung and Tuensang to submit detailed reports within four weeks.

According to media reports cited by the NSHRC, nine people died in Mokokchung district and 11 in Tuensang district, taking the total toll to 20.

The Commission noted that Nagaland has a statutory prohibition regime concerning intoxicating liquor, and that the reported circulation and sale of suspected spurious liquor resulting in multiple deaths raised “serious questions concerning the protection of the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”

“The nature and magnitude of the incident warrant an independent human-rights inquiry into, inter alia, whether there was any negligence in the prevention of the violation of human rights by public servants or authorities, and whether appropriate preventive, regulatory and enforcement measures were in place,” the order stated.

The Commission, however, clarified that it was not expressing any “concluded opinion” on the precise cause of death, source or composition of the liquor, or culpability of any individual or public servant, as “those matters are subject to investigation and forensic examination.”

Sweeping directions issued
Referring to Sections 17 and 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Commission said it is empowered to call for information or reports from the State Government and authorities, and, if an inquiry discloses violation of human rights or negligence in its prevention by a public servant, to recommend compensation, prosecution or other suitable action, or other suitable action and such further action as it may deem fit.

The order named the State Government, represented by the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Commissioner and Secretary of Excise, Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare, and Deputy Commissioners and Deputy Superintendents of Police of Mokokchung and Tuensang, as respondents.

The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit a “comprehensive report” and clarify whether a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted. The Chief Secretary must also indicate whether any interim relief or compensation has been sanctioned or is proposed for the families of the deceased and those who suffered serious injury or illness as a result of the incident. 

The Chief Secretary has further been directed to “specifically examine whether there was any dereliction of duty, negligence or failure of preventive enforcement by any public servant or authority, including in relation to the manufacture, transportation, storage or sale of the suspected spurious liquor.”

The Director General of Police was directed to furnish the names and particulars of the deceased, the status of FIRs, and details of arrests, seizures and searches conducted. The DGP has also been asked to report on the suspected source, manufacturers, distributors, transporters and sellers of the liquor, and the status of forensic examination of seized samples. Details of persons who fell ill after allegedly consuming the liquor, their medical treatment, and steps taken to prevent further circulation or consumption are also to be provided.

The Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Excise, has been asked to report on the statutory and administrative mechanism in place to prevent the manufacture, possession, transportation and sale of prohibited or spurious liquor, the enforcement and inspection mechanism in the affected districts, details of seizures, prosecutions and enforcement actions during the preceding three years in Mokokchung and Tuensang districts, whether any complaints or intelligence inputs concerning the particular source or network had been received, and the preventive measures proposed to prevent recurrence.

District-level reports sought
The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of Mokokchung and Tuensang districts have been directed to submit separate reports on the incident, including action taken by the district administration, police and other concerned departments.

The district administrations have been asked to identify the next of kin of each deceased person and furnish details of financial assistance, ex-gratia relief, medical assistance or other relief provided, if any, to the affected families.

The Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, or the competent authority, has been directed to submit details of medical treatment provided to surviving victims, the number of persons presently undergoing treatment, and the medical assistance and follow-up arrangements made for them.

All reports are to be submitted within four weeks from the date of receipt of the order.

Action against erring officials
The Commission directed that if the reports disclose prima facie negligence or dereliction of duty on the part of any public servant, the concerned authority shall indicate the departmental or other action proposed to be taken, without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigation.

The respondents have also been asked to furnish details of long-term preventive measures proposed to prevent recurrence of incidents involving spurious or adulterated liquor, including inter-departmental coordination, intelligence gathering, enforcement, public awareness and emergency medical response.

The Commission said it would “consider the reports and materials received and thereafter determine the further course of action.” It made clear that “the present order is an interim procedural order and shall not be construed as a finding of guilt, negligence or culpability against any individual, public servant or authority.”

The matter has been listed for November 5, 2026.