Patna: A strong debate has taken place in Bihar over a rule that requires owners of stolen vehicles to pay a fine if their vehicle is later found carrying illegal liquor. At present, if police seize a vehicle with liquor inside it, the registered owner must pay 10% of the vehicle’s insurance value to get it released. This applies even when the vehicle had been stolen and used for smuggling without the owner’s knowledge. Many people say this rule punishes victims twice — first when their vehicle is stolen and again when they are asked to pay a heavy fine.
The matter was raised in the Legislative Council through a calling attention motion by Mohammed Khalid Anwar and Bhisam Sahni. They questioned whether it is fair to charge a fine from someone whose vehicle was stolen and misused. The members demanded that if an FIR has been filed and police verification confirms the theft, the vehicle should be released without any penalty. Their demand led to a detailed discussion, with opposition members asking for immediate relief for affected citizens.
Prohibition, excise and registration minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said the government has formed a committee to examine the issue. He told the House that the committee will review the rule in light of directions from the Supreme Court and suggest changes if needed. The minister said the government wants to protect innocent vehicle owners while also maintaining the effectiveness of the state’s prohibition law. After his assurance, the situation in the House became calmer, although some members continued to press for quicker action.
The debate later turned heated when JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar and RJD leader Sunil Singh argued over issues related to liquor and political funding. The argument grew louder, forcing deputy speaker Prof Ramvachan Rai to intervene. Parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary appealed to members to avoid personal accusations and focus on enforcing the law properly. After his appeal, the House proceedings returned to normal, but the issue has once again highlighted concerns about how the prohibition law is being implemented in Bihar.
