Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Mar 8: The death toll from acute renal failure linked to adulterated milk in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, rose to 12 on Sunday after a 73-year-old woman succumbed to the illness while undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
The victim, Senapathi Ramalaxmi, a resident of the Lalacheruvu area, had been admitted to the hospital on February 16 after allegedly consuming milk contaminated with Ethylene Glycol. Doctors said she developed severe kidney failure following the consumption.
According to East Godavari District Collector Kirthi Chekuri, a total of 20 people developed acute renal failure after consuming the adulterated milk. Nine of them, including three infants, are still battling for their lives in different hospitals.
Officials said the victims began reporting urinary obstruction and kidney-related complications on February 16 after drinking the milk.
The incident came to light on February 22 after 76-year-old Tadi Krishnaveni died while undergoing treatment for anuria, a condition in which the body is unable to pass urine, at the Kakinada Government Hospital. Her relatives later discovered that several other people who had consumed milk from the same supply were admitted to different hospitals with similar symptoms.
Following a complaint filed by the deceased woman’s son, a case was registered at the Rajahmundry 3 Town Police Station under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
As part of the investigation, authorities sent blood samples from the victims, as well as samples of milk and curd supplied to them, for examination to the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory.
The probe revealed that Addala Ganeswara Rao, also known as Ganesh, had been collecting milk from 43 farmers around Narasapuram village, storing it in containers in a freezer at his house, and later distributing it to residents of Chaudeswaranagar and Swaroopnagar in Rajahmundry.
Customers reportedly complained that the milk supplied on February 15 and 16 tasted bitter. Around the same time, Ganeswara Rao noticed leakage in the freezer and took it to a workshop for repairs, where M-seal was applied to the leaking container and freezer walls.
Forensic reports later confirmed that the victims died due to acute renal failure caused by the consumption of milk contaminated with toxic Ethylene Glycol.
Police have arrested Ganeswara Rao and sent him to judicial remand, while investigations continue into the circumstances that led to the contamination