Hooch Tragedies In Uttar Pradesh: Allahabad High Court Seeks Reply On Plea For CBI Enquiry Against Police & Excise Department

The Allahabad High Court has issued notice on a petition seeking CBI/ NIA enquiry against Police and Excise department of the UP Government in wake of recent hooch tragedy in Aligarh, that allegedly claimed over 50 lives. A Division Bench of ACJ Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice Ravi Nath Tilhari has granted two weeks' time to the Standing counsel to seek complete instruction in the matter. "Learned Standing Counsel appearing for the State of U.P. prays for and is granted two weeks' time to seek complete instruction in the matter. The instruction would not only be in reference to the incident recently taken place in District Aligarh but also to the order passed earlier by this Court in W.P. No. 288 (MB) of 2015 decided vide order dated 12.04.2017, wherein a direction was given to the State Government to take appropriate steps to curb the trading of illicit liquor. What steps have been taken in that regard, would also be narrated," the order stated. The Petitioner, Advocate Satendra Kumar Singh (in person) has alleged that the concerned authorities have failed to control the menace of illicit liquor trade, particularly in rural areas, causing death of several persons all over the State from time to time. He has cited incidents from the districts of Aligarh, Ambedkarnagar, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh and Barabanki where more than 150 persons died and several villagers have been admitted in hospitals due to consumption of illicit country liquor. He submitted that he had a filed a similar PIL in 2005 and directions were issued thereof by the High Court to take appropriate steps for curbing the sale of spurious liquor and also to take action against any erring Government officials who may be found involved in its illicit trade. It is a matter of surprise however, the Petitioner submitted, that the authority concerned has not taken any action regarding misuse of un-licenses supply of liquor in rural areas and it is easily available in the market. "That State Govt. authorities are fully aware about the direction given by the Hon'ble Court on dated 12.04.2017 even though no prompt and stringent action has been taken by the State Govt against the culprits/ mafias as well as govt. official of excise department and police officials who are having hand in gloves with the mafia due to that again and again tragedy of spurious liquor is happening continuously in U.P. at several districts and also at others part of India," the plea stated. The Petitioner has urged the Court to call for details regarding a hooch tragedies that occurred since the year 2003 up till the latest one in Aligarh in May 2021 and also details of enquiries, if any, initiated by the Responsible authorities. The plea also seeks compensation to the tune of Rs. 10 lakh for the bereaved families of persons who have died in the latest Aligarh Liquor Tragedy.The matter is listed on July 19, 2021 along with WP No. 17248/2019. Case Title: Satendra Kumar Singh v. Union of India & Ors. Click Here To Download Order Read Order

Hooch Tragedies In Uttar Pradesh: Allahabad High Court Seeks Reply On Plea For CBI Enquiry Against Police & Excise Department

Akshita Saxena

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