New Delhi: After Nitish Kumar came to power for the third time in 2016, he ordered a blanket ban on sale, purchase and consumption of liquor. The move was much tom-tommed but often reports of bootlegging do emerge from the state.On a couple of occasions, powerful politicians and their relatives have been found to be flouting the rules.
But, this case goes one step ahead. During nation-wide lockdown, when there is greater restriction on alcohol, Bihar
Police on Wednesday seized 8 bottles of liquor from a car belonging to Buxar MLA Sanjay Kumar Tiwari. Congress MLA was himself not present in the car, which was searched during vehicle checking at the Simri police station area.
Buxar SP Upendra Nath Sharma said, “We intercepted four persons. On checking with Vahan app it came to our notice that the car belonged to the MLA. We are registering an FIR against these four people and the owner of the car.”
Buxar MLA cries conspiracy
The legislator himself was not present in the vehicle when it was intercepted and denied any knowledge of the presence of alcohol in his vehicle or how it reached the area from where it was recovered.
The MLA Tiwari said, “Ever since the lockdown began, my car was being used to distribute rations for the needy. Today also it had gone with ration supplies to be distributed in Jagdishpur. I’m surprised how my car reached the vicinity of Simri police station. I’m yet to speak with the workers who went to distribute the ration.”
Bihar: Liquor bottles were recovered from the car of Baxur MLA Sanjay Kr Tiwari.He says,”my car is used in distributing ration,today it had gone to distribute ration in Jagdishpur. I’m surprised how my car reached Simri.I’m yet to speak with workers who went to distribute ration” pic.twitter.com/mgAy4m9D3d
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2020
“Also, if there is a conspiracy against me then the government should take appropriate action on that,” he said.
Bihar liquor prohibition law & punishment
Earlier, the prohibition law in Bihar had provisions under which owner of a vehicle or a premises could end up behind bars upon recovery of liquor from his property despite not being physically present at the time of seizure.
The law was amended a couple of years back following an outcry against the draconian provisions.
Meanwhile, the RLSP founder and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha has said that “It is an open secret that prohibition in Bihar exists only on paper”.
“Bootlegging has thrived even during the nationwide lockdown which is evident from the incident in Buxar and the dismissal of policeman elsewhere a few weeks ago who was filmed purchasing liquor”, RLSP leader said.
