Dhaka, May 28 -- Abdul Mannan, owner of a local homeopathy store, was arrested on Wednesday in a case started by police on charges of selling 'rectified spirit'. Several unidentified people were also named in the case, said Mohammad Moniruzzaman, chief of Birampur Police Station.

"At least nine people died within 24 hours of consuming the toxic liquor at Birampur Upazila Health Complex and M Abdur Rahim Medical College Hospital in Dinajpur on Wednesday," Moniruzzaman added.

In the northern district of Rangpur, the death toll from consuming spirit rose to eight over the last three days, according to the police.

Dr Solaiman Hossain Mehedi, medical officer at Birampur Upazila Health Complex, told bdnews24.com the initial indications are t...