Rajahmundry Milk Adulteration Toll Rises To 13
- Rajahmundry Milk Adulteration linked to ethylene glycol contamination
- Rajahmundry Milk Adulteration victims suffer acute renal failure
Hyderabad: Rajahmundry Milk Adulteration toll has risen to 13 after another victim died while undergoing treatment. Officials confirmed that the latest death occurred due to acute renal failure linked to the consumption of adulterated milk.
Bandaru Veeralaxmi, 60, died while receiving treatment at a hospital. With her death, the total number of fatalities in the Rajahmundry Milk Adulteration incident has reached 13. She was a resident of the Swaroopnagar area in the city. Earlier, doctors admitted her to the hospital on February 16 after she reportedly consumed adulterated milk.
Meanwhile, seven people, including three infants, are still battling for life with acute renal failure. Residents from Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroop Nagar areas of Lalacheruvu fell ill after consuming adulterated milk supplied by the same vendor. Therefore, health officials have continued monitoring the affected patients.
According to East Godavari District Collector Kirthi Chekuri, 20 persons suffered acute renal failure after consuming milk adulterated with Ethylene Glycol. She said some people who consumed the milk were admitted to hospitals on February 16. They were suffering from urinary obstruction and kidney related problems.
However, the incident came to light only on February 22. On that day, Tadi Krishnaveni, 76, died while undergoing treatment for anuria, which is the inability to pass urine, at the Kakinada Government Hospital. Later, based on a complaint filed by the deceased woman’s son, police registered a case at Rajahmundry 3 Town Police Station under Section 194 of BNSS.
Meanwhile, investigators began collecting evidence to determine the cause of the illness. Authorities sent blood samples of the victims, adulterated milk, and curd supplied to them for testing. Officials also sent milk samples from Varalakshmi Milk Centre run by Addala Ganeswara Rao in Narasapuram, along with the freezer used for storage and other materials, to the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory.
During the investigation, officials found that Ganeswara Rao alias Ganesh, 37, had been collecting milk from 43 farmers around Narasapuram village. He stored the milk in a freezer with two containers at his house. Later, he poured the milk into cans and supplied it to residents in Chaudeswaranagar and Swaroopnagar areas of the city.
When customers complained about the bitter taste of the milk, Ganesh checked the freezer. For two days, he noticed that it was leaking. He then got it repaired at a workshop in the city. However, laboratory reports later revealed the cause of the tragedy.
Based on five reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, along with the final opinion of the Forensic Assistant Professor, investigators concluded that the deceased died of acute renal failure after consuming adulterated milk containing toxic Ethylene Glycol.
Police have arrested Ganesh in connection with the Rajahmundry Milk Adulteration case. Authorities later sent him to judicial remand as the investigation continues.
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