Bihar sets up special court to try prohibition cases

Patna, April 12 (IANS) Bihar has set up its first special court for speedy trial in cases relating to violations of the new prohibition law that seeks a total ban on liquor in the state, officials said.

"A first special court has been set up in Patna civil court here following a directive of the Patna High Court for speedy trial of cases relating to violations of the new Bihar prohibition law," an official of the state Excise and Prohibition Department said.

This court will hear prohibition cases only of Patna district.

Last year, the state government requested the high court to set up special courts in all 38 districts for speedy trial in cases related to a total ban on liquor in the Bihar.

Over 45,000 people have been arrested so far for violating the liquor ban imposed by the Nitish Kumar government on April 5 last year.

Bihar has acted tough against the violators of prohibition law, Excise and Prohibition Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan said.

"At least 45,033 people were arrested for violating the new law and over 44,000 of them were sent to jail during the last one year," Mastan said.

"The law enforcement agencies have been directed to act tough against those violating the law," he said.

The state police have raided 2,18,722 locations and seized liquor valued at Rs 50 crore in the last one year, a state Excise and Prohibition Department official said.

According to a police report, 40,413 cases were registered for violations of the dry law.

"We have seized 3,13,187 litres of 'desi' (country-made) liquor, 47,161 litres spirit, 52,53,334 litres foreign liquor, 11,371 litres beer, 628 quintal mahua, and 1,07,320 raw liquor," the report said.

Though most of those arrested were released on bail, the police said nearly 5,000 persons are still in jail.

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