Tejashwi Alleges Rs 40,000 Crore Liquor Black Market, Calls Bihar’s Prohibition Law a Tool Against the Poor

Patna: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Bihar government, alleging that liquor worth over Rs 40,000 crore is being black marketed under the state’s prohibition law, and claimed that the legislation has become a tool of corruption targeting the poor and marginalised communities.

Speaking ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti, which he said would be celebrated in every panchayat on April 14 including in his Raghopur constituency, the RJD leader cited recent Supreme Court remarks to accuse the police of colluding with liquor smugglers.

“The liquor ban is being misused. More than 9.36 lakh cases have been filed, and 36,800 deaths have occurred due to spurious liquor. Yet, no action has been taken against big smugglers or senior officers,” Tejashwi said. “The poor, Dalits, and backward-class people are being thrown into jail, while the rich escape unscathed. Ninety-seven percent of those arrested are from marginalised communities.”

He further alleged that despite the seizure of over 3.87 crore liquor bottles—nearly equally split between country-made and foreign liquor—the government has failed to answer who the real consumers and suppliers are. “Poor people do not drink foreign liquor. So who is drinking it? Who is bringing it in?” he asked.

Tejashwi also referred to the movement of liquor across districts and police jurisdictions, claiming that liquor reaches Patna after crossing at least 15 police station areas without being intercepted. “This is not a failure, it is collusion,” he said. “Officers who do not pay the ‘DK tax’ face action, while those who do are rewarded with transfers and postings.”

He accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of shielding “big fish” and enabling a “den of corruption” through selective enforcement. “The Chief Minister has stopped answering important questions. Instead, bureaucrats are made to speak in his place,” he said, criticising Kumar’s absence during key debates in the Assembly.

Highlighting the Supreme Court’s recent observations that pointed to alleged complicity of the Bihar Police in liquor smuggling, Tejashwi demanded answers from the state Home Minister and the Chief Minister. “If officers are not guilty despite crores of litres of alcohol being seized, then who is?” he said.