Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, February 28
Acting on the series of adverse orders from the Supreme Court, Bihar government on Monday decided to give relief to the offenders of prohibition laws and allowed them a concession of not being jailed.
As the annual budget of 2.37 lakh crore was presented in the Bihar Legislative Assembly today, government said those found drinking liquor wouldn’t be jailed provided they revealed the source of supply to the police and excise officials.
Government will extend legal assistance to those found drinking if they give evidences against the liquor mafia. They would get legal protection from prosecution and arrest, state excise commissioner, B Kartikeya Dhanaji, said.
In first six months of 2021, 50,000 people were sent to jails for violation of prohibition laws. Supreme Court while rejecting series of appeals filed by Bihar government against orders of Patna High Court granting bail to 44 offenders had criticised the state government for ” choking of jails” and mushrooming of courts with excise cases.
Last week too, Supreme Court had observed Bihar government introduced the prohibition laws without increasing number of courts, judicial officers and infrastructure. Excise Commissioner hoped the overcrowding in jails would ease.
Bihar government had introduced helicopter services and air surveillance by drones in all the districts to find out illicit liquor manufacturing units in the rural areas and riverine belts of Ganga, Kosi and Gandak rivers
