Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 9th April 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported consumption of illicit liquor by a student mistaking it as soft drink stored in a huge quantity at the dilapidated toilet of his school in Siswa area of Begusarai district, Bihar

Police seize 23 cartons containing about 204 litres of illicit liquor from the school toilet

The Commission issues notices to the state Chief Secretary and DGP, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that on 6th April 2026, a fourth standard student accidentally consumed illicit liquor mistaking it to be a soft drink. It was stored in a huge quantity of bottles at a dilapidated toilet of his school in Siswa area of Begusarai district of Bihar. He returned home in an intoxicated condition. The family members of the student informed the school authorities about the incident and the matter was brought to the notice of the police. Reportedly, the police seized a total of 23 cartons containing about 204 litres of illicit liquor from the toilet.

The Commission has observed that the content of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the student. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It is expected to include the health status of the child and the investigation.

According to the media report, carried on 8th April 2026, the incident has occurred amid a ban on the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor imposed since 5th April 2016, when Bihar was declared a dry state.

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