Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act 2016

The Supreme Court expresses its disappointment over denial of anticipatory bail to a 21-year-old girl by the high court in a liquor case, while saying refusal in such cases leads to “proliferation” of litigation before the Top Court.

The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday by Bihar government counsel Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar that the report from the Patna High Court states that this Court has passed order for transfer of the cases but records have not reached the Apex Court from Patna yet.

By Ajay K. Agrawal Fi...

Bihar came under total prohibition in April 2016. This was part of an abstemious chief minister’s social reform programme. He may as well have said: “Will no one rid me of these drinkers.” The government went into overdrive to get the state legislature enact a draconian law called the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. Under this law, sentences are disproportionately harsh, police has power to arrest even people drinking privately at home, confiscate their properties and also detain all adults of the family present, including non-drinkers.