Taking suo motu cognisance of deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor in Chhapra and Siwan districts of Bihar, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notice to the state’s Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.
The Commission sought to know from the state officials, the status of the FIR registered by the police, medical treatment of the victims who were hospitalised and compensation, if any, granted to the families of the victims.
It further sought to know about the action taken against the delinquent officers responsible for the tragedy.
The sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar in April, 2016.
The Commission observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raised concern for human rights and also indicated the failure of the state government to implement its policy of prohibition of sale and consumption of illicit/spurious liquor in Bihar.
As per media reports, around 65 people have died due to consumption of illicit liquor on December 13 in several districts of Bihar, including Saran, Chhapra and Siwan.