Bihar sets up court for prohibition cases

In last one year, over 45,000 arrested

PATNA, BIHAR, 31/03/2016: Country liquor stock being destroyed by JCB machines on the eve of ban on country liquor in the state imposed by Bihar government at Khagaul in Patna on March 31, 2016. Photo: Ranjeet Kumar

A year after enforcing stringent prohibition laws, the Bihar government on Wednesday set up a special court for speedy trial in cases registered against violation of the law, which the Opposition BJP dubbed “draconian.” The State government had earlier requested the Patna High Court to open special courts to hear prohibition-related cases in all districts.

High Court order

Following the High Court directive, the first special court has been set up in Patna, said an official of the Excise and Prohibition department. Gradually, such courts would be opened in all districts, he added.

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Justice Trilokinath Tiwari has been appointed judge of the special court which would hear prohibition cases of Patna district.

Bihar became a dry State on April 5, 2016. In last one year, over 45,000 people have been arrested for violating the liquor laws and 44,996 were sent to jail. Police and Excise department officials conducted 2,18,722 raids and seized over 3.5 lakh liters of liquor. Every day, trucks and vans loaded with liquor are being seized in different parts of the State. The border districts had become more vulnerable for smuggling of liquor bottles, said an official.