Malwani hooch tragedy: Mumbai court sentences 4 convicts to 10 years in jail

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A court in Mumbai has sentenced four individuals involved in the 2015 Malwani hooch tragedy to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The convicts, identified as Raju Tapkar, Donald Patel, Francis D'mello, and Mansoor Khan, were found guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with violations of the Bombay Prohibition Act, reported PTI.

While the four accused were convicted in April, the quantum of sentence was announced on Wednesday in Malwani hooch tragedy case.

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According to the report, the court's verdict, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Swapnil Tawshikar, emphasised the gravity of the crime, which claimed the lives of over 100 people in Mumbai's Malwani neighbourhood. The judge emphasised the lack of mitigating circumstances and the need for severe punishment to discourage similar offences in the future.

"No mitigating circumstances have been brought forward before him to show any concessions to the accused. Hence, the accused are sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment," the court said per PTI report.

During the trial, Special Public Prosecutor Pradip Gharat urged for the most severe punishment possible, stressing the seriousness of the crime and its social consequences.

The punishment should be exemplary so that it sends a strong message to society and deter people from committing such crimes, Prosecutor Gharat submitted.

During the trial, the prosecution had examined a witness who assisted Tapkar in selling the hooch; witnesses attested to the accused's role in the sale of illicit spirits, and evidence such as deathbed declarations and victim testimonials bolstered the prosecution's case, the PTI report stated.

The report added that police had also recovered a partially filled can of hooch and depositions of victims of the Malwani hooch tragedy who lost eyesight was also available with the prosecutors.

According to the PTI report, while four people were convicted, ten others were acquitted in the Malwani hooch tragedy case because there was insufficient evidence to prove their involvement in the conspiracy. Despite the devastating loss of life and substantial injuries, the court's ruling illustrates the complexity of demonstrating criminal conspiracy and emphasises the prosecution's challenges.

The Malwani Hooch tragedy, which occurred in June 2015, killed 106 people and injured many others.