Patna HC sets aside Bihar government’s prohibition law, declares it illegal

Amrendra Kumar

Patna: Patna high court on Friday set aside the Bihar government notification of April 5, 2016, enfdecorcing prohibition in the state. The high court declared the prohibition illegal and set aside the recent amendments made in the Excise Act. The court set aside the amendments made in section 19 to 40 of the Excise Act.

The government had not only banned sale and consumption of foreign liquor in the state but also made possession of liquor illegal.  Possession of  liquor by a family member invited punishment to all the family members. Not informing police about possession of liquor by others in the neighbourhood was al made punishable forcing many opposition leaders to describe the amended Excise Act as draconian.

The high court order is big setback to Nitish Kumar government which never tired of boasting its prohibition policy. CM Nitish Kumar had even requested other states to enforce prohibition. He had even urged PM Narendra Modi to enforce prohibition across the country.so