A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court seeking an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the Bihar hooch tragedy. The tragedy in Chhapra has so far claimed 55 lives.
The PIL was filed by the Aryavarta Mahasabha Foundation through advocate Pawan Prakash Pathak. The plea sought the formulation of a national action plan to curb the manufacturing, trading and sale of illicit liquor.
The bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud refused to hear the matter as the plea was not listed among the cases.
Chief Justice Chandrachud, however, said that the matter is important, but the petitioner has to go through the proper judicial process of filing the case in the Supreme Court.
The plea also cited similar incidences in other states of India, where people have died because of the consumption of illicit liquor.
The number of people dying after consuming illicit liquor is rising in Bihar. Recent reports show five people in Siwan district and one in Begusarai also died after consuming spurious liquor.
Meanwhile, a political war is brewing as leaders hit out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his insensitive statement, “Jo piyega woh marega” (those who drink spurious alcohol will die). Rival leaders have sought his resignation.
The BJP launched a scathing attack on chief minister Nitish Kumar over the tragedy and held him responsible for the incident. It also demanded President’s rule in Bihar.
The state government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) comprised of three deputy superintendents of police (DSP) and 31 other cops to investigate deaths in the Mashrakh and Ishauvpur areas.
The SIT team has arrested 126 people in the case of liquor smuggling and also conducted raids in various areas.