Liquor Syndicates In Bihar- Patna High Court Expresses Displeasure Over State Police Inaction, Issues Slew Of Directions

The Patna High Court recently expressed its displeasure over Bihar Police's inaction against liquor syndicates that are thriving in the State of Bihar and has issued a slew of directions in that regard.

Recently, the Bench of Justice Sandeep Kumar was hearing 3 bail pleas when it remarked that in all the cases, a huge amount of illicit liquor and spirit has been recovered and still, the local police of those districts did not take any interest in arresting all the accused persons.

"In the opinion of this Court, these cases relate to liquor syndicates which are thriving in the State of Bihar and members of the Patna High Court Syndicate involved in such crime are not being arrested by the local police," noted the Court.

Further, the Court also expressed its surprised over such huge seizure, and further observed that the Excise and Prohibition Department, headed by a Senior Police Officer, had not taken any action in that regard.

"Nothing has prevented either the district police or the police wing of the Excise and Prohibition Department to take action against the syndicates," said the Court. 

Against this backdrop, the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Patna was directed by the Court to investigate the cases of tax evaded by the persons named in the FIR of these cases/found involved in these cases.

Further, the Enforcement Directorate was also directed to investigate the cases of persons who have illegally acquired property and are involved in money laundering who are named in the FIR and names of other persons may crop up during course of investigation.

Importantly, the Counsel for the Bihar State Government was directed to file a counter affidavit on behalf of the Inspector General of Prohibition, Government of Bihar who is to monitor the implementation of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

"He will also explain as to what steps have been taken by the I.G. Prohibition to monitor such large seizure, investigation of such large seizure and arrest all the accused persons involved in cases of such large seizure. Excise Department should not leave the members of syndicates," the Court stressed.

Lastly, the Court directed for ther listing of the case for further hearing on December 15, 2021 and ordered that the coy of the order be communicated to the Director General of Income Tax Department (Investigation), Patna, Enforcement Directorate, Patna and the Principal Secretary, Prohibition, Excise, Registration Department and the Government of Bihar.

Click Here To Read/Download Order