What did Bihar gain from the 'noble' decision of prohibition? The decision of the High Court should be understood

The Patna High Court, while giving its verdict in a case, said that when the state government implemented the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, its intention was very noble to improve the living standards of the people and public health. But due to many reasons, it is now being seen as a bad decision in history. Justice Purnendu Singh made this comment while giving the verdict on October 29 on the petition of a police officer Mukesh Kumar Paswan. This decision was uploaded on the High Court website on November 13.

Justice Singh said in his verdict that the prohibition was welcomed by the officials of the police, excise, state commercial tax and transport department because it gave them a way to earn financial benefits. Some cases were registered against the liquor mafia or syndicate operators but in comparison, a lot of cases were registered against the common poor man. They were caught for drinking alcohol or fell prey to drinking raw liquor. Overall, the common poor man is suffering the most due to this Act. 

The court said that there are many provisions of this Act which are very helpful for the police. Taking advantage of all this, using new methods, narcotic banned substances are being brought and distributed. In many cases, collusion between the police and smugglers is also seen.

 Mukesh Kumar Paswan Case

Mukesh Paswan was the SHO of Patna Bypass Police Station. Foreign liquor was found in a raid by excise officers within 500 meters of his station. Paswan was suspended. Although he gave credible evidence of his innocence, but there are provisions in this law that if liquor is recovered within the jurisdiction of a police officer, then punitive action will be taken against him. and then Under the same, or Paswan was demoted after a departmental inquiry in 2020.

 While giving its verdict on the petition of Mukesh Paswan, the High Court ruled that the provisions in this Act were such that the departmental inquiry was just a formality because it was already decided what action would be taken against him. The court therefore cancelled the departmental inquiry against Mukesh and rejected the order of demoting him.

Prashant Kishore 

It is worth noting that in recent times, opposition to the decision of prohibition of liquor has started at the political level. Prashant Kishore has been the most vocal opponent of prohibition. Ever since he formed the Jan Suraj Party, he has been very vocal in opposing prohibition. He said that in case of coming to power, the first thing he will do is repeal the liquor prohibition law within 24 hours. His argument is that on one hand, there is a huge loss to the revenue and on the other hand, the social goal that was to be achieved through this law could not be achieved.