Chhapra hooch tragedy Archives - Lokmarg

Bihar Hooch Tragedy Accused Nabbed From Delhi

By LokMarg 31st December 2022

The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Saturday claimed to have arrested one of the keys accused in the Chhapra spurious liquor case which took over 70 lives earlier this month.

The accused, identified as Ram Babu Mahto was arrested from the Dwarka area, the police said, adding, that he was previously involved in seven other cases.
According to special Commissioner of Police (CP) Crime Branch Ravinder Yadav, “Information was received and developed by the Inter-State Cell, Crime Branch, Chankyapuri, Delhi that one Ram Babu Mahto wanted in the case related to spurious liquor tragedy in Bihar, may be hiding somewhere in Delhi”.

“On the basis of technical surveillance as well as specific inputs, the accused Ram Babu Mahto from Bihar’s Doila, was arrested from the area of Dwarka in Delhi,” Yadav said.

“Appropriate legal action is being taken and information about the arrest of the accused has been shared with Bihar Police for further action,” CP Yadav added.

Yadav added that Bihar Police was contacted and it was established that accused Ram Babu Mahto is one of the most wanted in 2022 case under the Bihar Excise Act- 2016 registered at Police Station Mashrak, District Saran in Bihar.

“Ram Babu Mahto was one of the key players in the entire episode where several people lost their lives. When Bihar Police were searching for him, he fled from Bihar,” Yadav added.

Police said Ram Babu belongs to a farming family and has four brothers and two sisters. He is a Class 8 dropout.

“Ram Babu claimed that his family is in bad financial condition. However, owing to the prohibition of liquor in the state of Bihar, he sensed an opportunity to make quick and easy money and indulged in manufacturing and selling spurious Liquor,” Yadav said.

As per the information available so far, he is involved in several cases of the illicit liquor business, the police said. (ANI)

If You Consume Liquor, You’ll Die: CM Nitish On Hooch Tragedy

By LokMarg 15th December 2022

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday told media persons waiting for his reaction on the 39 deaths so far in the Chhapra hooch tragedy that if “someone consumes spurious liquor, they will die” as he came under heavy pressure on his alleged failed excise policy.

Defending the liquor ban in Bihar, he said that the state’s prohibition policy has benefitted several people and a large number of people have given up drinking alcohol due to his measures.

“The liquor ban has benefitted several people. A large number of people have given up alcohol…This is good. Several people have happily accepted this. But there are some troublemakers. I have told officers to identify the actual troublemakers and nab them,” Kumar told the media in Patna.

“I have told officers that they shouldn’t capture the poor. People manufacturing liquor & carrying on liquor trade should be caught,” Kumar said.

The chief minister also said: “I am ready to give Rs 1 lakh each to people to start their own work. We’ll raise the amount if needed, but nobody should get involved in the liquor business.”

“Last time, when people died due to spurious liquor, someone said they should be compensated. If someone consumes spurious liquor, they’ll die – an example is before us. This should be condoled, those places should be visited and people should be explained about the fallout of their action,” Nitish Kumar said.

After the first death late Tuesday in a Chhapra hospital, the toll reached 39 on Thursday.

In its wake, Masrakh Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar.

Bihar Excise Minister Sunil Kumar on Wednesday vowed strict action against culprits responsible for deaths.

“Process of filling an FIR is underway. I have spoken over the phone with SP,” Sunil Kumar said.

The sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016.

Hours after the first few deaths were reported from Chhapra, the opposition on Wednesday attacked the Bihar Chief Minister in the state assembly leading to Nitish Kumar losing his cool and screaming back at the BJP leaders.

The Janata Dal-United chief slammed the BJP for protesting the deaths as Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha questioned the state’s liquor ban policy since 2016.

Nitish Kumar lost his temper in the House and screamed at the BJP MLAs ”Sharabi ho gaye ho tum…(you are drunk)”

Protesting against the incident, Bihar opposition lawmakers also staged a demonstration outside the state assembly later. (ANI)

Death Toll Mounts to 39 In Bihar Hooch Tragedy

By LokMarg 15th December 2022

The death toll in the Chhapra hooch tragedy, due to the consumption of spurious liquor, in Bihar’s Saran district has soared to 39.

In the wake of the Hooch tragedy in Chhapra, the Station House Officer (SHO) Ritesh Mishra and Constable Vikesh Tiwari were suspended with immediate effect on the recommendation of Marhaura Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Yogendra Kumar.

Bihar excise Minister Sunil Kumar on Wednesday “confirmed” six people have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the Chhapra area of Bihar’s Saran district. Bihar minister “vowed’ that govt would take “strict action” against culprits responsible for deaths.

“Process of filling an FIR is underway. I have spoken over the phone with SP. He confirmed the death of six people so far,” Sunil Kumar had said after being asked about police taking any action in this case.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bihar Minister SK Mahaseth urged the people of the state to give up drinking alcohol.

While talking to the media persons Mahaseth said, “Best if you give up drinking. Poison and not liquor are coming here. If we build strength via sports, we might tolerate it but people will have to build that strength. Give it up! It’s prohibited & being wrongly pushed here,” said Mahaseth.

The sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lost his cool in the state assembly when leaders of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked his government over several deaths due to spurious liquor in Saran district’s Chhapra area.

The Janata Dal-United chief slammed the BJP for protesting the deaths as Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha questioned the state’s liquor ban policy since 2016.

Nitish Kumar lost his temper in the House and screamed at the BJP MLAs ”Sharabi ho gaye ho tum…(you are drunk)”

Protesting against the incident, Bihar opposition lawmakers also staged a demonstration outside the state assembly later.

The sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016. (ANI)