Gopalganj: A court in Bihar has given a unique and reformative punishment to a boy who was caught with 81 litres of liquor. Instead of sending him to a correction home, the Juvenile Justice Board in Gopalganj has ordered the boy to work with the traffic police for 30 days. This decision is being seen as an attempt to guide the boy back to the right path and teach him about discipline and responsibility.
The case is from the Jadopur police station area of Gopalganj district. On 9 January 2025, police caught the boy along with four others and seized 81 litres of liquor from them. A case was registered against all of them, but since one of the accused was a minor, the case went to the Juvenile Justice Board. During the hearing, the boy appeared before the board with his father. He admitted his crime voluntarily and said that he wanted to be forgiven and given a chance to improve himself.
Chief Magistrate Nilesh Bhardwaj, who heads the board, accepted his request and gave him a chance to reform. The court directed that he should work under the supervision of the traffic police in-charge for 30 days. After this period, a report of his service will be sent back to the board. The order is meant to give the boy an opportunity to contribute to society and to understand the importance of following the law.
Bihar has had a total prohibition on alcohol since 2016, but despite the ban, illegal liquor trade continues in many parts of the state. Hundreds of people have died after drinking poisonous liquor in the past few years. The opposition has often criticised the state government over the liquor ban and its implementation. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and other leaders have repeatedly raised questions about whether prohibition is working
