Bihar's Battle: The Grim Reality of Prohibition and Hooch Tragedies

Since the prohibition law's implementation in 2016, 354 people in Bihar have died from consuming spurious liquor. The state's efforts in liquor seizures have increased, yet hooch tragedies persist. Recent efforts led to arrests, including main accused Suraj Mahto, amid ongoing challenges in enforcing the prohibition effectively.

The state of Bihar continues to grapple with the tragic fallout of its stringent prohibition law, which has reportedly led to 354 fatalities from spurious liquor consumption since 2016, according to a top police official, Amit Kumar Jain, ADG of Prohibition and State Narcotics Control Bureau.

Despite stepped-up efforts—including an 18% rise in liquor seizures—hooch deaths remain a persistent menace. The recent incident in Saran district claimed five lives, highlighting the ongoing challenges. Authorities have intensified raids, seizing 3,70,684 litres of liquor in the first months of 2026, a notable increase from previous years.

The prohibition unit is also focusing on interstate raids and improving liquor disposal systems. Significant strides in narcotic recoveries have been noted, but the recent hooch deaths prompted serious legal repercussions, with the arrest of key perpetrators like Suraj Mahto. Criticism from the Patna High Court underscores the systemic inadequacies risking citizen lives.

(With inputs from agencies.)