Hyderabad was struck by a tragic incident on New Year’s Eve, when one man lost his life and fifteen others were hospitalised after reportedly consuming spurious liquor and contaminated food during celebrations in the Bhavani Nagar area, police officials said on Thursday. While authorities have yet to determine whether the illness was primarily caused by the consumption of adulterated alcohol or food poisoning, the incident has raised serious concerns about public health and safety during festive periods marked by heavy alcohol consumption.

According to Jagadgirigutta police inspector B. Venkatesham, a group of sixteen individuals had gathered in Bhavani Nagar on the evening of December 31, 2025, to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. The gathering, described by locals as a private party, involved a substantial consumption of alcohol and an assortment of food items including fish and biryani. It was only a few hours into the celebration that the participants began showing alarming symptoms of severe illness.

Several attendees reportedly began experiencing intense discomfort, with complaints ranging from violent vomiting and abdominal pain to chest burning and dizziness. Fearing a medical emergency, family members and friends of the affected individuals immediately rushed them to a private hospital in Suraram. Among those affected was a 53-year-old man identified as Pandu, who tragically succumbed to his condition despite receiving medical care. The remaining fifteen individuals are currently receiving treatment and are reported to be in stable but serious condition, according to hospital sources.

The police have registered a case of suspicious death and launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. At present, authorities are conducting detailed inquiries with the victims’ families and friends to ascertain the sources of both the alcohol and food consumed at the gathering. “We are looking into all possible angles, including the origin of the liquor and the food items, to determine the cause of the illness and whether any criminal negligence was involved,” Inspector Venkatesham said. The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination, which is expected to provide critical information on whether the death was caused by adulterated liquor, contaminated food, or a combination of both.

While Hyderabad has witnessed similar incidents of alcohol-related illnesses in the past, this episode is particularly alarming due to the scale of impact and the number of people affected. Public health officials have long warned against the consumption of spurious or illicit liquor, which often contains dangerous chemicals such as methanol, a substance that can cause irreversible organ damage or death even in small quantities. Methanol poisoning can present symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication initially, but it progresses rapidly to nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, respiratory distress, and in extreme cases, loss of consciousness and death.

Investigators are also examining the food consumed at the event. While spurious alcohol is suspected to be the primary cause, contaminated or improperly stored food cannot be ruled out. Symptoms such as vomiting and intense stomach pain are also common in cases of food poisoning, which can occur when bacteria, toxins, or other harmful microorganisms are present in the consumed items. Given that fish and meat products are particularly susceptible to bacterial contamination if not handled or stored correctly, authorities are conducting laboratory tests on the remaining food samples recovered from the location.

The incident has drawn attention to a broader issue of alcohol consumption during festive periods in Telangana. Data from the Telangana Excise Department indicate that liquor sales in the state reached unprecedented levels during the last week of December 2025, coinciding with the holiday season and New Year celebrations. From December 29 to December 31 alone, alcohol sales reportedly amounted to nearly ₹1,000 crore, marking a significant increase compared to the corresponding period in December 2024, when sales stood at ₹736 crore. This surge contributed to December 2025 recording total liquor sales of approximately ₹5,102 crore, the highest monthly figure in the department’s history.

Experts suggest that such record-breaking sales volumes, combined with the widespread availability of unregulated and illicit liquor, create a high-risk environment for incidents like the one in Bhavani Nagar. Adulterated alcohol often enters the market through informal channels and can be sold at significantly lower prices than licensed products, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers. In many cases, consumers are unaware of the hazards posed by such products until it is too late.

In addition to regulatory gaps, law enforcement faces challenges in tracking the production, distribution, and sale of spurious liquor, especially during high-demand periods such as festivals and New Year celebrations. While licensed liquor outlets are subject to strict quality control regulations, unlicensed vendors often operate without oversight, putting the public at risk. Police and excise department officials in Telangana have intensified raids and monitoring efforts in the wake of the incident, aiming to curb the circulation of dangerous alcohol and prevent further tragedies.

The Bhavani Nagar incident has prompted calls from public health advocates for increased awareness campaigns on the risks of consuming spurious liquor, particularly during large gatherings and celebrations. Medical professionals emphasize the importance of immediate intervention when symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, chest burning, or dizziness occur following alcohol consumption. Rapid medical response can mean the difference between life and death, especially in cases of methanol poisoning, where timely administration of antidotes and supportive care is critical.

Meanwhile, hospital authorities have confirmed that the surviving fifteen patients are receiving intensive medical care, including fluid replacement, medications to manage symptoms, and monitoring for potential organ damage. Doctors have advised families to ensure that alcohol is consumed only from regulated sources and that food served during gatherings is properly prepared, stored, and cooked at safe temperatures to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination.

The incident also highlights the broader societal and cultural dynamics surrounding alcohol consumption in India. Despite strict regulations, festive periods and social gatherings often see a sharp spike in alcohol intake, and many people turn to informal or cheap sources of liquor, increasing the likelihood of spurious products entering the market. Authorities and community leaders have stressed the importance of responsible drinking practices and vigilance in sourcing consumables from trusted vendors.

As investigations continue, police are expected to interrogate vendors and suppliers connected to the event to determine whether negligence or intentional adulteration of alcohol played a role in the tragedy. The findings will have implications not only for criminal liability but also for public policy and enforcement strategies aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

In conclusion, the Bhavani Nagar tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with unregulated alcohol and the critical importance of food safety. While New Year celebrations are a time for joy and social connection, incidents such as this underscore the need for public awareness, rigorous enforcement of safety regulations, and prompt medical intervention. Authorities in Hyderabad and across Telangana are now tasked with ensuring that lessons from this unfortunate episode are implemented to safeguard public health and prevent further loss of life during festive gatherings.

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