Five Dead in Hooch Tragedy in 'Dry State' Bihar, 12 Arrested

Patna: Five people have died after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar's East Champaran district, where prohibition is in force, with the deaths reported from the Turkaulia and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari. Twelve persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, East Champaran District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal confirmed.

Police said murder charges have been filed against the accused following complaints lodged by the families of the deceased. Several others remain hospitalised, while seven persons who received treatment have been discharged, police added.

Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident. Initial investigation has indicated that the first person to die in the Raghunathpur area had consumed illicit liquor, police sources said.

"The liquor supplier has been identified and will be apprehended shortly. A joint team comprising the district police and the Anti-Liquor Task Force (ALTF) is conducting searches in Parsauni, Mushari Thola, and Turkaulia. A high-level inquiry into the incident has also been ordered," Prabhat said on Thursday.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Turkaulia police station has been placed under immediate suspension for dereliction of duty.

The incident has sparked a major political controversy in Bihar, with the opposition alleging that the state government's prohibition law has been reduced to a farce.