WhatsApp Chats Lead Police to 600-Litre Methanol Seizure in Amritsar Liquor Tragedy Case

• May 15, 2025

Amritsar, Punjab – Investigators probing the Amritsar hooch tragedy have traced a crucial digital trail: WhatsApp chats of the prime accused, Sahib Singh, which not only confirmed his involvement but also led to the seizure of 600 litres of methanol—a toxic chemical often misused in the production of illicit liquor.

According to police, Sahib Singh had initially procured 50 litres of methanol from a Ludhiana-based firm, which was used in brewing the spurious liquor that caused the deaths of 24 people in the Majitha region. Further investigation revealed he had placed a second order for 600 litres from Bharat Heavy Chemicals in Delhi, for which he had made an advance payment of ₹35,000.

This large consignment was intercepted and seized on Tuesday in Banur, Patiala, while it was being transported from Delhi to Amritsar in a truck.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Inspector General (Border Range) Satinder Singh, accompanied by SSP (Amritsar Rural) Maninder Singh, said, “We obtained critical technical evidence from Sahib Singh’s phone. His WhatsApp messages revealed both the procurement and transportation trail of methanol.”

Based on the digital evidence, police arrested Arvinder Kumar and Pankaj Kumar, owners of the Ludhiana firm, and later apprehended Ravinder Kumar Jain and Rajiv Kumar Jain from Delhi, who ran the supplying firm there.

Police also arrested local illicit liquor distributors Prabhjit Singh and his brother Kulbir Singh, who reportedly received the methanol from Sahib Singh. Investigators believe the brothers diluted the methanol before distributing it further.

Following the tragedy, Sahib Singh attempted to evade arrest by switching off his phone and going into hiding but was apprehended within hours. He has a history of offences, with around 10 previous cases registered under the Excise Act.

Experts warn that methanol, due to its resemblance in appearance, odour, and sedative effect to ethyl alcohol (ethanol), is extremely dangerous and often goes undetected in spurious liquor. DIG Satinder Singh emphasized that methanol is a “silent killer” when diverted into the illicit alcohol supply chain.

Officials also highlighted a significant regulatory gap. “There is currently no robust legal framework for tracking methanol across state lines, nor any mandatory registration of buyers or mechanisms to monitor its supply chain,” said Cheema, a senior official familiar with the investigation. He called for urgent reforms to prevent further misuse of industrial chemicals in illicit liquor manufacturing.

The investigation into the broader network continues.