The Justice B. Gokuldas Commission of Inquiry into the 2024 Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has submitted its report to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, holding multiple officials accountable for the incident that resulted in 69 deaths. The report criticizes the lack of diligence by officials in the Prohibition and Excise Department, stating that if they had properly monitored the storage, transport, and sale of methanol, the dangerous chemical would not have reached Kallakurichi. Police officers at various ranks in Kallakurichi, Sankarapuram, and Kachirapalayam, along with enforcement personnel in the Prohibition Enforcement Wing, were also found responsible. The commission recommends disciplinary actions against these officials and calls for support measures such as education, food, shelter, and future employment opportunities for children orphaned by the tragedy. Additionally, the report suggests creating new industries in the region to provide employment and establishing a dedicated Prohibition Enforcement Wing for the Kalvarayan Hills, identified as the main source of illicit arrack.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the findings of an official inquiry commission without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on accountability measures and recommendations made by the commission, maintaining neutrality in tone and content. There is no evident slant toward either the government or the





