PATNA: In the fastest trial under Bihar’s stringent prohibition law, eight people were sentenced to five years in jail and Rs 1 lakh fine each by a special court just three weeks after they were arrested for consuming alcohol.
The eight convicted people are poor tribals in the southern Banka and Munger districts who were arrested minutes after they had returned after attending a religious ritual in neighbouring Jharkhand on November 9. The case was put through speedy trial and a charge-sheet was filed within 24 hours of their arrest.
“This judgment under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, delivered in a case of liquor consumption and public nuisance will go a long way in ensuring greater compliance of people in observing prohibition in the state,” said Banka SP Chandan Kumar Kushwaha on Saturday.
Kushwaha had requested the special court (prohibition) of Banka additional district and sessions judge - II, Alok Kumar Sinha, to conduct speedy trial of the case. The SP had also himself supervised the case, including the trial. After hearing the case on eight dates over the next 21 days, the judge delivered the judgment on Thursday, holding the eight accused guilty under section 37 (c) of the Act.
Awadhesh Kumar Singh, the special public prosecutor in the case, said the convicts – Dhananjay Manjhi, Pappu Manjhi, Sitaram Manjhi, Manav Manjhi, Pacho Manjhi, Subash Manjhi, Sudin Manjhi (all from Banka) and Julmi Manjhi (from Munger) – were arrested in a drunken state for creating nuisance at Hariyasi More Nahar under Benhar police station in Banka district.
A medical examination confirmed that they had consumed alcohol, and the report was presented in court. Police also ensured that all the witnesses were presented in court on the specified dates.
The conviction and sentencing has, however, sparked resentment among the tribal community in Banka district. Family members of the convicted people have alleged that police added the public nuisance charge without sufficient reason and that consumption of liquor remains an “integral part” of tribal rituals.