IN the dry state of Bihar, those caught drunk now have a chance to escape jail term. Under the state government's new order, the police will not send those caught drinking alcohol to jail if the offender spills the beans on their suppliers.
Krishna Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Excise, reportedly said that this “relief” was given with the intention of cracking down on the network and gang of liquor smugglers. He stated that if a person is caught under the influence of alcohol, he will be asked to name and address the person who supplied him the liquor. On the basis of his information, raids will be conducted and if the information is found to be correct, then the man who gives the information will not be punished.
He also said: “We have been asked to spread the word so that we can crack down on liquor traders. We aim at fighting drinking, a social evil, and would give relief to those who cooperate with us. On a possible backlash from liquor traders, there is police for security.”
The excise joint commissioner said that over three lakh people have been booked only for drinking and many of them are in jail. “We need to stop overcrowding jails and give legal relief to those who cooperate with us in tracking liquor traders."
According to government sources, first-time "drinkers” can get away with a penalty rather than face arrest; cases can be withdrawn; a vehicle in which liquor is found may no longer be confiscated and, if it is, can be released after a fine and a section dealing with "immediate” arrest may be deleted.
This story is from the March 21, 2022 edition of India Legal.
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This story is from the March 21, 2022 edition of India Legal.
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