The police, excise and the prohibition departments are taking steps to prevent the diversion of methanol from industries to those involved in the brewing of country liquor. This comes following revelations that methanol is being used to add punch to desi liquor.

At a high-level meeting on Friday, Director General of Police S S Khandwawala asked the city police, Crime Branch, as also excise and prohibition department officials to ensure that methanol did not pass into the hands of those involved in the manufacture and distribution of country liquor. He also called for strict action against those involved in the pilferage and illegal supply of methanol.

The police and excise departments were asked to go to the root of the problem and take measures against those involved in its illicit trade.

What has come as very disturbing to the top police brass was the death of two persons by direct consumption of methanol which a bootlegger had supplied in the Old City area in the garb of desi liquor.

Investigations have revealed that one Imran Abdul Hameed Bagban, a resident of Juhapura, had sold methanol to the unsuspecting victims. Bagban had received the delivery from one Hashimbhai, a resident of Muhammed Ali Road in Mumbai.

Investigators said that the unscrupulous distillers or bootleggers had added methanol to increase the potency of the liquor despite knowing that it was poisonous. As both methanol and ethyl alcohol or spirit tasted similar and were colourless, consumers were not aware of what they were consuming.

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