A public interest litigation has been filed in the Patna high court, challenging the decision of the state government which strictly prohibits sale and consumption of liquor in Bihar.
The petition was filed by ex-service man A.N. Singh on Wednesday, a day after chief minister Nitish Kumar announced the state government’s decision to impose a blanket ban on liquor in Bihar. Mr Singh in his petition contended that the state government’s decision was “draconian in nature and violated human rights”.
The writ also mentions that the Amended Excise Act, which was passed unanimously in the state Assembly on March 31, violates Article 14, 19, 21 and 22 of the Constitution.
On the other hand, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday questioned state government’s intention through a statement, saying that imposing a ban on liquor won’t solve the purpose. The state government should have announced complete prohibition on other products like opium and marijuana, which are easily available.
“Why liquor only We doubt the intention of the state government,” former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar, while announcing the state government’s decision on Tuesday, had said, “People, particularly women, were opposing the state government’s decision to open sale counters of IMFL in urban areas. Their protests were becoming a social movement and we felt that time has come to bring a social change in Bihar, that’s why we decided to impose total prohibition in the state”.
Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor too has criticised the state government’s decision to impose a total ban on liquor in the state. Threatening not to visit Bihar in future, the Bollywood actor through a tweet message said, “10 years imprisonment for alcohol — 5 years for illegal possession of ARMS Wah Nitish! Me not coming to Bihar! How myopic can you get in 2016 ”
“Bihar you will encourage bootlegging and illicit liquor. Prohibition has failed worldwide. Wake up! You will also lose Rs 3,000 crores revenue,” he added.
