Wednesday, December 29 2004 18:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: In the backdrop of death of 85 persons for consuming spurious liquor, Maharashtra Government today (Dec 29, 2004) decided to hand over the probe into the illicit liquor tragedy to the CID.

"The CID will conduct a thorough probe into the illicit liquor tragedy, once the present probe, being handled by an officer of the rank of additional Police Commissioner is completed", the State deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, told reporters in Mumbai.

After the twin hooch tragedy, massive raids are being conducted for last two days at various places in Navi Mumbai, Raigad and Thane, Patil said adding that large stock of illegal liquor has been destroyed.

He attributed the less number of licensed liquor shops and availability of cheaper illegal liquor for the tragedy.

Patil also admitted that no raids were conducted in suburban Vikhroli, where the second hooch tragedy, took place on Dec 26, 2004 after the first broke out two days ago in Satrastra, near the Arthur Road prison.

He virtually gave a clean chit to city police chief A N Roy, whose transfer was sought by the Opposition leader Narayan Rane, holding the senior IPS officer responsible for the incidents, saying the "Police Commissioner had directed police officials to take precautionary measures".