Inside Bihar’s Nine-Year War on Liquor: Over Nine Lakh Cases, Nearly Four Crore Litres Seized

Patna: Bihar’s complete prohibition law, implemented on April 5, 2016, has completed nine years, marking a significant shift in the state’s social and economic landscape. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s bold decision to enforce a total ban on liquor has not only altered the lives of millions but also led to one of the most extensive law enforcement efforts in the state’s history.

Massive Crackdown on Illegal Liquor Trade

Since the introduction of prohibition, authorities have seized 386.96 million litres of liquor across Bihar, including 210.64 million litres of foreign-made liquor and 176.31 million litres of country liquor. The Prohibition and Excise Department confiscated 118.16 million litres, while the police seized 268.80 million litres, according to official data.

As part of the crackdown, law enforcement agencies have registered 936,949 cases related to liquor violations over the past nine years. Of these, 424,852 FIRs were filed by the Prohibition and Excise Department, while the police lodged 512,097 FIRs. In total, 1.43 million individuals have been arrested, with 618,134 arrests made by the Excise Department and 814,703 by the police.

Liquor Destruction and Legal Action

Out of the total liquor seized, authorities have destroyed 377.28 million litres—97% of the confiscated stock—while 967,857 litres remain pending destruction, awaiting court clearance.

Legal proceedings under the prohibition law have also been swift. 99% of cases that reached trial have resulted in convictions. Of the 936,949 cases filed, 418,954 have been concluded, leading to 416,097 convictions.

Impact on Traditional Liquor Businesses

The prohibition law significantly impacted families traditionally engaged in liquor and toddy-related businesses. Under the Sustainable Livelihood Scheme, the government has identified 45,994 families and distributed Rs 163 crore among 42,809 families, supporting them in shifting to alternative livelihoods.

Seizures of Vehicles and Properties

Authorities have also cracked down on assets used in liquor smuggling. Over the past nine years, they have seized 140,279 vehicles, with 74,725 auctioned, generating Rs 340.55 crore in revenue. Additionally, 17,163 vehicles were released after penalties, contributing Rs 81.41 crore to state funds.

Similarly, 8,268 buildings and plots linked to liquor storage or manufacturing have been confiscated. While 584 properties were later released upon fines, bringing in Rs 8.23 crore, others remain under government control.

Tech-Driven Enforcement

To combat illegal liquor trade, authorities have ramped up surveillance and enforcement efforts using technology. The department now deploys 33 sniffer dogs, 890 breath analysers, and 12 handheld scanners at checkpoints to detect illicit consignments. Additionally, a call centre receives 300–400 tip-offs daily, leading to targeted raids.