A housewarming party turned tragic in the wee hours of yesterday after nearly 88 guests took ill on consuming the food served there and had to be rushed to hospitals in Khopoli, Pune and Mumbai. Three of them, all minors, died while undergoing treatment.

The incident took place at the new home of Subhash Ramchandra Mane in Mahad gaothan of Devnahave village in Khalapur taluka. Mane, who hails from Solapur, had built the new house and organised the party on Monday from 11 am till 9.30 pm, during which around 250 guests had lunch or dinner there. The Khalapur police have registered a case against Mane and the caterer, Barashkar Devnaner, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Food Safety and Standards Act.