NHRC takes suo-motu cognizance of Hooch tragedy in Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar: expresses concern over such incidents despite ban on liquor in the State; issues notice to the State Government calling for reports

New Delhi, 25th May, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo-motu cognizance of media reports that at least six persons have died and twelve fallen ill after they consumed spurious liquor in Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar. Reportedly, earlier, in a similar incident in Madhepura, a number of people had died in the recent past.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, amount to violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks including action taken against the guilty and steps taken/proposed to be taken to check such painful incidents in future.

The Commission has further observed that the manufacturing, sale and consumption of liquor was banned in Bihar in 2016. In spite of this, a number of people have died in different parts of the State due to consumption of spurious liquor. Apparently, the law enforcing agencies have not been able to successfully implement the provisions of the law as a result the perpetrators are indulging in unlawful manufacturing and sale of illicit liquor causing irrevocable loss to the families of the victims.

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