Chandigarh, November 24
Two men have lost their lives apparently after consuming “excess liquor” during the pre-marriage reception organised by the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, for her son in her own constituency — Lehra Gagga (Sangrur).

Mrs Bhattal has denied the incident saying it has nothing to do with the reception party. She said she had got information about one death and got the man’s antecedents verified. It was found that the deceased was found lying outside a liquor vend. He did not belong to her constituency and was not among the invitees.

She also said the invitations had been sent to only 75 villages in her constituency and not to others. “This man may have come on his own about which I have no knowledge,” said Mrs Bhattal while adding that she was not aware about the second death.

Mr Rahul Inder Singh, son of Mrs Bhattal, is scheduled to get married on November 27 and this function at Lehra was for a show of political strength and to appease her voters. About 25,000 persons from her constituency and surrounding areas attended the pre-marriage function.

Senior police officers confirmed the deaths of Gurmail Singh of Khokhar Village and Jarnail Singh of Harigarh Gella village of Sangrur District.

Gurmail Singh reportedly collapsed outside the pandal at the site of the function itself while Jarnail Singh died at his home this morning. He was seriously ill last night and died today.

Police officials said it is yet to be medically confirmed but it seems to be a clear case of excess consumption of liquor or they may have consumed some other substance. Rural areas of the Malwa belt in Punjab are infamous for consumption of poppy husk (bhooki) also and the possibility of these two having consumed a large quantity of poppy husk cannot also be ruled out. However, the Police have ruled out the chances of the liquor being spurious as thousands of people consumed it and only these two died.

Either they consumed more than their capacity or mixed it some with other intoxicant, said a source. Inquest proceedings under 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C) have been initiated. Samples of the viscera of the deceased have been collected and would be sent for chemical examination, police officials said.

The police has not registered a medico legal case, as it would have done normally. Sources said senior police officers have advised the district police officials at Sangrur to tread carefully in the matter.