KARACHI: An inquiry report into the death of 32 people due to consumption of homemade toxic liquor during the Eidul Azha holidays has found officials of both the Karachi police and the excise department “involved” in the illegal sale of liquor in the city.

“An inquiry team led by SSP-Investigation Abdul Hameed Khoso has revealed that some police and excise officials are patronising the illegal sale of liquor in the city,” said DIG-East Munir Ahmed Shaikh, who heads the overall probe into the toxic liquor tragedy.

“I have suspended all officials concerned and will recommend to the inspector general of police to take further action against senior police officers,” he added.

He said he would submit his recommendations to the police chief on Tuesday (today).

“We have decided to eliminate social evils, including sale of liquor across Sindh, and strict action would be taken against the policemen if found involved in the same,” said IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali.

Sources privy to the contents of the inquiry report said that six police officers — DSPs Landhi and Korangi, SHOs of the Landhi, Zaman Town, Sharafi Goth and Ibrahim Hyderi police stations — had been found directly involved in the sale of illegal liquor.

The sources added that it was stated in the report that Sharafi Goth, Hashim Goth, Nabo Goth, Allahdad Goth, Baloch Para, Sherpao Colony and other localities had become “den of drugs including liquor”, which were allegedly patronised by the above-mentioned police officers.

They were getting Rs1 million per month as protection money from these dens, it added.

The report said that the SHO of the Korangi Industrial Area police station was allegedly involved in ‘patronising’ drinking dens in Bilal Colony and Mehran Town, respectively.

Another drinking den was being run in Baber Market, Landhi that was allegedly patronised by the DSP-Landhi.

The report said that that a police ‘beater’ provided toxic liquor in Ibrahim Hydery, Chanesar Goth, Mehran Town and Bilal Colony and other localities.

The sources said that the report alleged that a policeman was getting extortion money from a drinking den in Korangi, which was allegedly being patronized by the DSP-Korangi.

The inquiry report has recommended strict action against the police officers.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2014