India, June 3 -- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated the process of taking over a case registered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to the seizure of methanol, a key chemical suspected to have been used in the manufacture of the spurious liquor that claimed 16 lives in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The FDA on Saturday registered an FIR with the Narpoli police station in Thane district after seizing nearly 5,929 kg of methanol from the Bhiwandi-based Rex International. Investigators suspect the chemical was supplied to bootleggers involved in manufacturing the toxic liquor consumed by the victims.

Officials said on Tuesday that the seized methanol could provide crucial leads on the source of the toxic ...