The victims in separate groups or individually took the liquor from Nabi homeopathy hall in the upazila on different days.

Sources said Rafiqul Islam, 41, son of Harez Mondol of Madapur village, died after being admitted to a local health complex on November 12. He took the poisonous alcohol the previous day.

Hossain Ali, 32, son of Kalu Biswas of Bagwan, died on November 13.

Of the dead Gias Uddin, 41, son of Nabir Sheikh of Mathurapur, died on November 25, Raihan Ali, 45, of Dangmarka, died on November 27, and Idadul Islam, 36, son of Hekmat Mistri of Mathurapur, died on November 28.

The sick are secretly taking treatment to avoid police interrogation, sources said. The families of the dead also have not filed any case, as police would then take away the bodies for inquest, they added.

They said the liquid substance, smuggled into the district from India, was either not properly rectified or poisonous. Alcohol is sold at different drug stores and by illegal vendors.

When contacted, Officer-in-Charge of Daulatpur Police Station Mujibur Rahman told The Daily Star that they do not know anything about the incident, as no-one showed up to file a complaint.