On June 26, 2024, Khushbu Sundar, a politician among other things and a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), headed a three-member team that visited Karunapuram, which is considered to be the epicenter of the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi, and conducted an inquiry with families of the victims.
In an interaction with journalists, Mrs. Khushbu strongly argued that some authorities should transfer investigation into hooch tragedy to Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI). To add to this she also said that CB-CID, who investigate this case had not given any report to NCW yet. She wondered why does it take so long for the case to be handed over to the federal agency in order to conduct an effective investigation into its details.
According to Ms. Khushbu, there are corruption irregularities during investigations and officials claimed ignorance. Once again Ms. Khushbu added that they would make a report available for National Commission for Women (NCW) within one day.
She further noted that local officials were aware about what happened although they appeared ignorant. “For me this is the biggest crime because almost all deaths were caused by people who consumed approximately three sachets of methanol-hooch amounting up to 96 liters.” This raises one question: “Where was Kallakurichi police?” She asked.
The police say they have destroyed 250 litres of the hooch but she maintains this cannot be proved, she said. It was on record that many residents told her nothing had been done about their numerous complaints lodged with police against those selling illicit booze. “This we will raise on higher platform,” she confirmed.
