Modifying its earlier order to destroy the existing stock of liquor in Bihar, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed manufacturers in the State to export stock worth over ₹200 crore till July 31, 2017.
On May 29, the court gave the manufacturers time till July 31 to “destroy/drain” the existing liquor stock in the State where prohibition was imposed from April 1, 2016. The manufacturers had returned to the court for a modification of the order to allow them an option to export the stock too.
Manufacturers’ plea
A Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and Deepak Gupta clarified the earlier order, saying there was “sufficient grounds” to allow the plea of the manufacturers.
Earlier, the court had given a one-month extension till May 31 for disposing of old stocks, including raw material. The second extension till July 31 was granted after the companies had argued that holding on to existing stock beyond the government-stipulated deadline would be an offence punishable with a minimum 10-year imprisonment. They had pleaded that destruction of the stocks would also require permission from the State Pollution Control Board, and this would take time.
In October 2016, the court gave the thumbs up to the Bihar government’s liquor ban policy by staying a Patna High Court order quashing the State’s prohibition law, while observing that there are no rights to be claimed regarding anything to do with liquor.
