Of the four, one lost his eyesight and is admitted to the Jaipur Golden Hospital. Police said that all three deceased succumbed during treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Prakash (37), Nabi Mohammad (35) and Sandeep (32)-all residents of Prem Nagar-I. The person who lost his eyesight has been identified as Ravi.

Atul Katiyar, DCP, Outer Delhi, said that according to his information, two people had died. Local sources, however, confirmed the deaths of three.

DCP Katiyar said, “I spoke to the doctor, who told me that there are three possibilities. Either they mixed something in the drink to make it stronger or they consumed something with the liquor that led to their deaths or that the liquor was adulterated. We are investigating the matter and trying to find the cause of death,” said DCP Katiyar.

Police said that the seven persons, who had complained of stomach ache and vomiting, were brought to the hospital on Friday.

During treatment, Prakash said that he and the others had purchased the liquor from a vendor belonging to the Sansi tribe and consumed it together. Minutes later, they were in hospital.

Local residents said that the sale of country liquor is rampant in areas like Sultanpuri, Mangolpuri, Prem Nagar and Aman Vihar. Most vendors are from the Sansi tribe.