Illegal home-brewed liquor is consumed in various parts of India due to its cheaper price compared to the commercially available brands.

These illicit liquors frequently have additional chemicals added to them such as pesticides or methanol, in order to increase potency.

[2] On 20 June 2024, an incident of poisoning due to the consumption of illicit liquor occurred in Kallakurichi district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

[8] Chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. K. Stalin announced an ex gratia of ₹1 million (US$12,000) for the family of the deceased and ₹50,000 (US$580) for the injured.

[12][8] On 21 June 2024, the government appointed a one-man commission headed by former Madras High Court judge B. Gokuldas to investigate the incident.