18 admitted to Hyderabad hospitals after consuming adulterated toddy, 78-year-old critical-OxBig News Network

Eighteen persons were rushed to hospitals across Hyderabad overnight after allegedly consuming adulterated toddy sold in the Kukatpally area on Tuesday (July 8, 2025). One of them is said to be critical.

According to Medchal district excise officer Shaik Fayazuddeen, 15 of the affected persons were shifted to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), two to Gandhi Hospital, and one to Prathima Hospital for advanced treatment.

“We began receiving reports from hospitals about patients being admitted with symptoms, such as low blood sugar, dizziness and diarrhoea. This included patients admitted to the Ramdevrao Hospital in Kukatpally. Upon further checks, we traced the cases back to toddy shops in Kukatpally,” Mr. Fayazuddeen said

“A preliminary enquiry indicated that these individuals, most of them daily wage workers living in areas like Hyderanagar and Indiranagar, had consumed adulterated toddy from a few specific shops,” he said.

Initially, 12 cases were reported, but six more individuals later sought medical help with similar symptoms, though not all had consumed toddy. Among the patients is a 78-year-old man, reportedly in critical condition due to age-related ailments. “He had consumed toddy from one of the three suspect outlets on July 6. His condition worsened due to his high blood sugar levels and other health issues. He is currently on ventilator support,” the officer added.

Officials from the Prohibition and Excise Department have since sealed three toddy outlets located in Hyderanagar, Shamshiguda and KPHB Colony. The toddy sold at these shops is suspected to have been laced with alprazolam and diazepam. “Samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, while the remaining stock was destroyed. The licences of the shop owners have been suspended,” Mr. Fayazuddeen informed.

Further investigation is underway to identify other depots selling adulterated toddy. Meanwhile, the excise personnel have also been deployed to key hospitals in Kukatpally to monitor incoming patients for similar symptoms and facilitate timely referrals. “We’ve stationed our officers at hospitals nearby so that if any new case arises, the individual can be shifted to a better facility and tested to determine the exact cause of illness,” said the officer.