Patna: Liquor bottles were recovered from a bag found near the residence of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in Patna on Thursday, prompting a police investigation and renewed scrutiny over the implementation of the state’s prohibition law.
According to officials, security personnel deployed near the Chief Minister’s residence noticed a suspicious bag lying by the roadside during routine surveillance. Upon inspection, liquor bottles were found inside the bag.
Police personnel immediately secured the area and began an inquiry into how the bag was left near one of the state’s most heavily guarded zones.
Security Concerns Emerge
The incident has raised questions regarding security arrangements around the VVIP area, which houses the Chief Minister’s official residence and several important government establishments.
Officials said the recovery of prohibited liquor from such a sensitive zone has been taken seriously by the administration. Senior police officers have reportedly sought a detailed report on the incident.
CCTV Footage Under Examination
Investigators are examining footage from CCTV cameras installed in and around the area to identify the person or persons responsible for leaving the bag at the site.
Police are also probing whether the incident is linked to illegal liquor transportation or if the bag was intentionally placed there to provoke attention.
No arrests had been reported till the filing of this report.
Prohibition Debate Revived
The incident has once again sparked political debate over the effectiveness of Bihar’s liquor prohibition policy, which has been in force since 2016.
Opposition parties have repeatedly questioned the implementation of the law, citing previous incidents in which liquor bottles were allegedly recovered from areas near government offices and public institutions in Patna.
The Bihar government has maintained that enforcement drives against illegal liquor trade continue across the state.
