A major toxic liquor tragedy has sent shockwaves across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad after at least 15 people allegedly died from consuming chemically contaminated illicit country liquor within a span of 24 hours. Authorities fear the death toll could rise further as several others remain hospitalised in critical condition. Investigation points to methanol-laced liquor The mystery surrounding a series of sudden and suspicious deaths reported over the last 24 to 48 hours in the Fugewadi area of Pimpri-Chinchwad has now been unravelled. Investigators believe the deaths were not caused by any natural illness but by highly toxic spurious liquor allegedly manufactured illegally in Uruli Kanchan using hazardous methanol-based chemicals. Police officials said the illicit liquor was prepared within the jurisdiction of the Uruli Kanchan Police Station. To increase the potency of the brew, the prime accused, Yogesh Wankhede — a known offender on the records of the State Excise Department — allegedly mixed nearly 215 litres of poisonous methanol into the liquor before distributing it to illegal liquor dens across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. According to police, …