Patna, Oct 18 (UNI) Taking strong cognizance of the rising number of cases related to prohibition, the Patna High Court has categorically said that the state authorities have failed to implement complete prohibition in Bihar in its true spirit.
Justice Purnendu Singh, in his recent voluminous order running into 20 pages observed that in the backdrop of the existing scenario in the state, the court found - while going through the reports submitted in several bail applications - that the liquor ban Act was not implemented in its true spirit leading to adverse consequences.
Justice Singh said the court has seen the rising trend of manufacturing and smuggling of liquor due to the deliberate inaction of state officials.
The judge in his order observed that liquor is freely available and the lives of citizens of the state is under risk because of the failure of the state machinery in effectively
carrying out the provision of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 as amended from time to time and to safeguard the health, life and liberty of the people at large.
The court asked the state government to formulate an environment-friendly policy for adopting scientific measures with respect to the liquor disposal contained in the bottles.
The judge said Bihar's prohibition law, for several reasons was found on the wrong side of history. Minors were engaged to transport liquor, post liquor ban drug consumption increased sharply and the State witnessed a large number of hooch tragedies putting public life at great risk.
The judge, in the public interest, referred the matter before the Chief Justice of Patna High court to take cognizance of the issue on its judicial side for instituting public interest litigation for the cause of larger public interest. MORE UNI XC RS