GUEST COLUMN | Bihar, Nitish Kumar, and the prohibition debate
2 years ago

GUEST COLUMN | Bihar, Nitish Kumar, and the prohibition debate

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 29, 2022 10:15 IST Every law is enacted on a prior assumption that the capacity to ensure its purposes can be created. Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar owns the State’s prohibition policy but seems bereft of the capacity to enforce it. Enacted in 2016, Bihar’s prohibition law criminalises a whole chain of activities: “no person shall manufacture, bottle, distribute, transport, collect, store, possess, purchase, sell or consume any intoxicant or liquor”. For creating a “public nuisance” or permitting a home or other ownership premise to be used for drunken revelry, a person could attract a minimum imprisonment of five years, perhaps alongside a fine of Rs.1 lakh. Figures furnished by the Bihar State counsel in March reveal four lakh cases registered under prohibition law and 3.5 lakh arrests effected.

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History of this topic

Bihar Alcohol Ban 2016-2024: Impact, Failures, and Political Future
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Bihar Alcohol Ban 2016-2024: Impact, Failures, and Political Future

The Hindu  

Published : Nov 26, 2024 19:28 IST - 6 MINS READ When Chief Minister Nitish Kumar banned the sale of alcohol in Bihar in 2016, it sparked mixed reactions. Once the liquor ban is lifted, that money will be dedicated solely to establishing a new education system in Bihar.” The Ranchi-based social activist Sudhir Pal, who supports prohibition, expressed disappointment …

Is another prohibition survey needed in Bihar? | Explained
1 year, 1 month ago

Is another prohibition survey needed in Bihar? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: On November 26, at a function to mark Nashamukti Diwas or ‘de-addiction day’, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that there would be a fresh “house-to-house” survey to assess the impact of liquor prohibition in Bihar. On October 2, 2016 it promised to “enforce, implement and promote complete prohibition of liquor and intoxicants in the territory of …

Bihar: Case filed against CM Nitish Kumar over 243 deaths in hooch tragedies despite liquor ban
1 year, 4 months ago

Bihar: Case filed against CM Nitish Kumar over 243 deaths in hooch tragedies despite liquor ban

India TV News  

A case has been filed against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Muzaffarpur over the death of 243 people in hooch tragedies. Court approved the complaint A complaint of culpable homicide has been filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Singh for the death of 243 people due to consumption of spurious liquor in Bihar. Bihar government …

Three recent decisions by Nitish Kumar may turn Bihar's fate in 2024
1 year, 8 months ago

Three recent decisions by Nitish Kumar may turn Bihar's fate in 2024

Hindustan Times  

PATNA : Three political developments in Bihar in the past fortnight alone have the potential to play big in the 2024 general elections as both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Grand Alliance take measured steps to prepare for the crucial fight. One, earlier this month following the Motihari hooch tragedy in which 30 persons died after consuming spurious liquor, …

BJP seeks general amnesty for those accused of violating Bihar’s prohibition law
1 year, 8 months ago

BJP seeks general amnesty for those accused of violating Bihar’s prohibition law

Hindustan Times  

PATNA: A day after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar agreed to sanction ₹4 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of people who died due to hooch, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi stepped up his offensive against the chief minister on Tuesday and demanded that the chief minister also compensate people who suffered permanent injuries due to hooch …

Nitish Kumar announces ₹4 lakh compensation for hooch victims. There’s a rider
1 year, 8 months ago

Nitish Kumar announces ₹4 lakh compensation for hooch victims. There’s a rider

Hindustan Times  

PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday announced a ₹4 lakh ex-gratia for the next-of-kin of people who died in hooch tragedies after prohibition was introduced in 2016 but stressed that people who seek financial assistance will have to reveal the identity of the person from who liquor was illegally bought. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said next-of-kin of …

7.49k people arrested under liquor prohibition law in Bihar: Excise minister
1 year, 9 months ago

7.49k people arrested under liquor prohibition law in Bihar: Excise minister

Hindustan Times  

A total of 7,49,000 people were arrested in Bihar under liquor prohibition law till January 2023, while the conviction rate in cases related to violation is 21.98% till February 2023, as per the latest data of the Bihar government. 1.54 crore litre of illegal foreign liquor and 96.71 lakh litre of illegal countrymade liquor have been seized in Bihar since …

Withdraw prohibition in Bihar immediately, says Prashant Kishor
1 year, 11 months ago

Withdraw prohibition in Bihar immediately, says Prashant Kishor

The Hindu  

January 30, 2023 07:05 pm | Updated 08:28 pm IST - Patna Poll strategist Prashant Kishor has demanded that the liquor ban in Bihar be withdrawn immediately. “There is no evidence in the world that any country, State, or society can say that they have brought socio-economic development to their people by implementing prohibition,” Mr. Kishor said on January 30, …

Bihar Liquor Prohibition Act : Supreme Court Expresses Anguish At Delay In Setting Up Special Courts
1 year, 11 months ago

Bihar Liquor Prohibition Act : Supreme Court Expresses Anguish At Delay In Setting Up Special Courts

Live Law  

The creation of special courts for the purpose of trying cases under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 was ‘a long distance away’, the Supreme Court observed on Monday. Expressing disapproval over the delay in enhancing the judicial infrastructure, the top court order dated January 23, 2023 read, “We are still at the stage of planning the infrastructure.” In …

Bihar’s prohibition policy is not working
2 years ago

Bihar’s prohibition policy is not working

The Hindu  

The latest hooch tragedy in Bihar has put Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the backfoot. With the death toll rising to 38 and with several people losing their vision and becoming critically ill, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has appealed to Mr. Kumar to reconsider the government’s prohibition policy and pay compensation to the family members of those who died. …

Bihar Citizens' Lives At Risk Due To Govt's Failure To Implement Liquor Ban: Patna HC Requests CJ To Take Cognizance Of Issue
2 years, 2 months ago

Bihar Citizens' Lives At Risk Due To Govt's Failure To Implement Liquor Ban: Patna HC Requests CJ To Take Cognizance Of Issue

Live Law  

In a strongly worded order, the Patna High Court has recently observed that the Bihar State Authorities have failed to implement a complete liquor prohibition in the State and the lives of Bihar citizens have been risked due to the state's failure to effectively implement the ban.With this, the bench of Justice Purnendu Singh directed the HC Registry that its …

Now, Bihar's liquor fine for first-time offenders reduced to Rs 2,000-5,000
2 years, 9 months ago

Now, Bihar's liquor fine for first-time offenders reduced to Rs 2,000-5,000

India Today  

In a fresh amendment to the prohibition law in Bihar, it was decided that those caught drinking alcohol for the first time would be released after they paid a fine. Those caught drinking for the first time in the state will be released after paying a fine between Rs 2,000 and 5,000, as decided by the executive magistrate. READ: Why …

'Mahapaapi, Don't Consider Them Indians': Cornered Over Hooch Deaths, Nitish Kumar Clarifies on Relief
2 years, 9 months ago

'Mahapaapi, Don't Consider Them Indians': Cornered Over Hooch Deaths, Nitish Kumar Clarifies on Relief

News 18  

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is facing criticism over hooch tragedies in the state, has called the people who consume liquor “Mahapaapi” and said the state government cannot be made liable for providing relief to those who die after consuming toxic liquor. Speaking in the Bihar Assembly after introduction and passage of an amendment bill that seeks to make …

Bihar assembly passes amendment Bill on liquor ban with 100% majority
2 years, 9 months ago

Bihar assembly passes amendment Bill on liquor ban with 100% majority

India TV News  

Highlights Bihar assembly passes amendment Bill on liquor ban with 100% majority The amendment will make the law less stringent on first-time offenders Govt has not divulged amount of the fine to be imposed on first-time offenders The Bihar Assembly on Wednesday introduced and passed an amendment bill that seeks to make the liquor ban less stringent for first-time offenders …

Why Bihar wants to relax punishment under prohibition law
2 years, 10 months ago

Why Bihar wants to relax punishment under prohibition law

India Today  

With the Nitish Kumar cabinet, on March 8, approving the proposed amendments to the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, the new focus of prohibition in the state appears to be on giving a second chance to violators rather than punishing them straightaway. A top official in the chief minister’s secretariat said Nitish feels that the people of Bihar have …

Bihar Prohibition Act Clogging Courts With Bail Applications: Supreme Court Raises Alarm; Seeks State's Response
2 years, 10 months ago

Bihar Prohibition Act Clogging Courts With Bail Applications: Supreme Court Raises Alarm; Seeks State's Response

Live Law  

The Supreme Court has sought the State of Bihar's response as to steps being taken by it to deal with the litigation which arise from the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Amendment Act, 2018.A Bench comprising Justice SK Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh also asked the State to apprise it of the analysis that took place before the law was brought …

Drones to monitor illegal liquor manufacturing in Bihar
3 years ago

Drones to monitor illegal liquor manufacturing in Bihar

The Hindu  

“Now, drones will be used to monitor illegal liquor manufacturing in Bihar. Editorial | The cost of prohibition: On spurt in hooch tragedies In 2021, the State Excise, Prohibition and Registration Department conducted 3,436 raids, and 11,488 raids against illegal liquor trade, manufacturing and consumption were carried out by the State Home Department. “The Patna HC has made these appointments …

Liquor Syndicates In Bihar- Patna High Court Expresses Displeasure Over State Police Inaction, Issues Slew Of Directions
3 years, 1 month ago

Liquor Syndicates In Bihar- Patna High Court Expresses Displeasure Over State Police Inaction, Issues Slew Of Directions

Live Law  

The Patna High Court recently expressed its displeasure over Bihar Police's inaction against liquor syndicates that are thriving in the State of Bihar and has issued a slew of directions in that regard.Recently, the Bench of Justice Sandeep Kumar was hearing 3 bail pleas when it remarked that in all the cases, a huge amount of illicit liquor and spirit …

Illicit liquor being sold in Bihar with police collusion: State BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal
3 years, 2 months ago

Illicit liquor being sold in Bihar with police collusion: State BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal

India TV News  

Bihar hooch tragedy news: Following the death of 32 people due to consumption of spurious liquor in Bihar, state BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal on Saturday said the sale of illicit liquor in the state is taking place in collusion with the police and emphasised the need to review the liquor ban. While addressing media, Sanjay Jaiswal said, " Wherever the …

Are Offences Under Bihar Prohibition Act Quantity Based? Supreme Court To Consider
3 years, 5 months ago

Are Offences Under Bihar Prohibition Act Quantity Based? Supreme Court To Consider

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice in appeal filed by the State of Bihar against a 4th March 2020 order passed by the Patna High Court wherein bail had been granted on the grounds that offences under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, are not quantity-based. Stating that State of Bihar observes total prohibition vide the Prohibition Act …

Nitish Kumar's prohibition claim on shaky ground in Bihar election
4 years, 2 months ago

Nitish Kumar's prohibition claim on shaky ground in Bihar election

India Today  

Sharaab-bandi or prohibition has been one of the main poll planks for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as he seeks re-election of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in the upcoming Bihar Assembly election 2020. It is always available It is sold here at the nearby canal," says a self-proclaimed Nitish Kumar supporter who identified himself as Ramesh Ram in Bihar's …

Patna HC expresses concern over pendency of over 2 lakh liquor ban cases
5 years, 1 month ago

Patna HC expresses concern over pendency of over 2 lakh liquor ban cases

India Today  

Expressing concern over pendency of over 2 lakh prohibition-related cases, the Patna high court has asked the Bihar government to file its reply on tackling litigations arising out of enforcement of prohibition law in the state. A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh on Thursday directed the state government to file a detailed reply …

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