The death toll in the suspected milk contamination case in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh has risen to 14, while six others are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, police said on Friday.
Laboratory findings revealed that the victims suffered multi-organ failure triggered by acute renal failure after consuming milk contaminated with the toxic substance ethylene glycol, officials said.
The incident dates back to February 16, when adulterated milk supplied in parts of Lalacheruvu allegedly caused serious health complications among consumers, including urinary obstruction and kidney-related ailments, leading to multiple hospitalisations.
The matter came to light on February 22 after Tadi Krishnaveni (76) died while undergoing treatment for anuria at Kakinada Government Hospital.
“Laboratory findings show that the victims died of multi-organ failure triggered by acute renal failure after consuming milk contaminated with the toxic substance ethylene glycol,” G Deva Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Kovvur.
Relatives later learnt that several others had been admitted to hospitals with similar symptoms and that all of them had consumed milk supplied by the same vendor.
Based on a complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s son, police registered a case on February 22 under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
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During the investigation, police collected blood samples from the victims along with samples of milk and curd consumed by them. Samples were also taken from a private milk centre operated by Addala Ganeswararao (37) in Narasapuram village, including the freezer used for storage and other materials found at the premises.
The collected samples were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. Reports relating to five cases have been received so far and examined by a forensic assistant professor who provided the final opinion, police said.
Investigators found that the accused vendor had been sourcing milk from 43 farmers in nearby villages. He allegedly stored the milk in a two-container freezer at his residence before transferring it to cans and supplying it to households in the Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar areas of Lalacheruvu.
Between February 16 and 24, about 20 people were admitted to various hospitals after consuming the milk supplied by the vendor. Police said some customers had informed him on February 15 that the milk tasted bitter and warned that it could cause health problems if sold.
Despite the warning, the vendor allegedly continued supplying the milk the following day. Police also found that the freezer used to store the milk had developed a leak and was later repaired at a tinkering workshop in Rajamahendravaram where an adhesive compound was applied to seal the container walls.
The accused, Ganeswararao, has been remanded to judicial custody.
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