Illicit liquor deaths in Bihar’s East Champaran leave five dead; 12 arrested, SIT formed

Five people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s East Champaran district. Officials said 12 people were arrested in connection with the deaths in the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari. Police registered a murder case, formed a Special Investigation Team, and suspended the Turkauliya police station SHO.

Four more people died on Friday in Bihar’s East Champaran district after allegedly drinking spurious liquor. Officials said the total death toll rose to five, after the first death on Thursday. The deaths were linked to the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari. Police said several people fell ill after consuming the suspected illicit alcohol.

East Champaran District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said action followed as the toll increased. "The death toll has mounted to five, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The exact cause of the deaths can only be known after the report arrives.\" Jorwal also said the SHO of Turkauliya police station was suspended with immediate effect.

Spurious liquor deaths in East Champaran: arrests, case and medical update

Officials said 12 people were arrested in connection with the spurious liquor deaths. Police registered a case of murder after complaints from family members of the deceased. Police also said at least five people remained hospitalised. Seven people were discharged after receiving treatment, according to officials handling the case.

Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat said a Special Investigation Team SIT was formed to probe the incident. Police sources said early findings pointed to the first victim consuming illicit liquor in Raghunathpur. Police said the liquor supplier was identified and would be arrested soon. Prabhat also said a high-level inquiry was ordered on Thursday.

Search operations continued across several locations, police sources said. A team of district police and the Anti-Liquor Task Force ALTF conducted searches in Parsauni, Mushhari Tola, and Turkaulia. Officials linked the searches to efforts to trace the supply chain. Police said the investigation was focusing on those involved in making and selling the liquor.

Spurious liquor deaths and Bihar prohibition law: political reactions

The incident triggered political exchanges in Bihar, where alcohol sale and consumption has been banned since 2016. RJD national working president Tejashwi Yadav said the deaths showed gaps in enforcement. In a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly said, \"It is not the first time that such an incident has happened in the state. According to available data, more than 1,300 people have died in Bihar due to the consumption of spurious liquor since April 2016. This is just the official figure; the exact number is much more. Several people have also lost sight, he said.\"

Yadav alleged the prohibition law benefited some leaders and criminal networks. Yadav claimed it had become a profitable venture for some leaders of the ruling BJP-JDU alliance, corrupt officials and the liquor mafia. Yadav also alleged illicit liquor was made and sold openly with police collusion. The claims added pressure on the administration amid the continuing probe.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also criticised how the ban was being implemented. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Manjhi said state enforcement was weak. \"The prohibition law implemented by the state government in April 2016 is good… but I must say that state machinery has failed to enforce it effectively.\" Officials did not announce any fresh steps after the comments.

Jan Suraaj Party’s state president, Manoj Bharti, visited Turkauliya village on Friday. Manoj Bharti met families of the deceased and spoke with those admitted to hospital. Talking to reporters, Manoj Bharti said, \"The state government is responsible for such incidents. The NDA government has miserably failed to enforce the prohibition law effectively in the state.\" The visit came as the district administration continued its actions.

The deaths also recalled earlier incidents in the same region. In 2023, as many as 44 people died in Motihari after consuming spurious liquor. In the current case, officials said post-mortem results were awaited to confirm the exact cause of death. Police said arrests, searches, and inquiries were continuing in East Champaran.

With inputs from PTI