Unable to source alcohol from any liquor shops over the ongoing 21-day lockdown, three men from Tamil Nadu's Chengalpattu died after they consumed paint and varnish.

The three men, identified as Shivasankar, Pradeep, and Sivaraman were rushed to the Chengalpattu government hospital after they were found in a serious condition. Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the three of them were habitual drinkers and had a hard time keeping away from alcohol during the lockdown. Frustrated and depressed, they had mixed paint with varnish and consumed the mixture, which led them to vomit continuously and eventually collapse. Upon the orders of the state government, TASMAC shops have been shut down until April 14 in order to avoid large gatherings. Several cases of suicides over alcohol withdrawal have been reported across the country.

In an attempt to contain the spread of the virus across the country, PM Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown that came into effect on March 25 at 12.00 am and will be enforced for 21 days. 4846 cases and 133 deaths have been reported in the country so far.