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PATNA: The Patna high court upbraided the Bihar government on Tuesday, finding a connection between what it called ineffective implementation of the 2016 prohibition law and rising crimes in the dry state, including bootlegging by juveniles, villagers, politicians and cops.
In a 20-page order, Justice Purnendu Singh listed nine categories of crimes and social evils rising in Bihar: drug addiction, banned narcotics trade, vehicle thefts, hooch deaths and crimes involving juveniles. The single-judge bench referred the matter to the chief justice for hearing by treating it as a PIL.
“Considering the material which have come in the course of hearing, it reveals that the state authorities have failed to implement complete prohibition in Bihar to safeguard the health, life and liberty of the people at large and their confidence,” the judge said, while hearing a bail application by Neeraj Singh, a Muzaffarpur resident caught in a bootlegging case.
Justice Singh said police and state officials purposely don’t provide evidence against liquor smugglers and syndicate operators. Illustrating the cases of several bail applications, the court indicated a rising trend in arrest of juveniles thrust into bootlegging.
The high court said statistics prior to 2015 reveal much fewer drugs cases, but the recent surge in bail pleas for cases under the anti-narcotics law show people were abusing illegal substances as a substitute for alcohol.
Justice Singh came down heavily on hooch deaths in Bihar, saying the government has failed to develop an SOP for treating victims of such tragedies and illicit liquor laced with toxic methyl alcohol have killed thousands in the state. He said fewer cases are registered against linchpins of liquor cartels compared to poor people caught drinking. Investigating officers deliberately avoid corroborating allegations with evidence and this practice allows the mafia a free run, the high cout said.
The government has been under pressure over its Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, following a string of hooch deaths. At least 40 deaths were recorded in three districts after Diwali last year, while back-to-back tragedies killed around 14 people in Saran and another 13 in Nalanda in January. About 50 people died in moonshine-linked disasters after Holi in March, then in May and in August.
In a 20-page order, Justice Purnendu Singh listed nine categories of crimes and social evils rising in Bihar: drug addiction, banned narcotics trade, vehicle thefts, hooch deaths and crimes involving juveniles. The single-judge bench referred the matter to the chief justice for hearing by treating it as a PIL.
“Considering the material which have come in the course of hearing, it reveals that the state authorities have failed to implement complete prohibition in Bihar to safeguard the health, life and liberty of the people at large and their confidence,” the judge said, while hearing a bail application by Neeraj Singh, a Muzaffarpur resident caught in a bootlegging case.
Justice Singh said police and state officials purposely don’t provide evidence against liquor smugglers and syndicate operators. Illustrating the cases of several bail applications, the court indicated a rising trend in arrest of juveniles thrust into bootlegging.
The high court said statistics prior to 2015 reveal much fewer drugs cases, but the recent surge in bail pleas for cases under the anti-narcotics law show people were abusing illegal substances as a substitute for alcohol.
Justice Singh came down heavily on hooch deaths in Bihar, saying the government has failed to develop an SOP for treating victims of such tragedies and illicit liquor laced with toxic methyl alcohol have killed thousands in the state. He said fewer cases are registered against linchpins of liquor cartels compared to poor people caught drinking. Investigating officers deliberately avoid corroborating allegations with evidence and this practice allows the mafia a free run, the high cout said.
The government has been under pressure over its Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, following a string of hooch deaths. At least 40 deaths were recorded in three districts after Diwali last year, while back-to-back tragedies killed around 14 people in Saran and another 13 in Nalanda in January. About 50 people died in moonshine-linked disasters after Holi in March, then in May and in August.
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