Spurious Liquor Can Cause Huge Tragedy: Punjab & Haryana HC Denies Anticipatory Bail To Accused Of Dealing With Illicit Liquor

The Court noted that such liquor affects the poor people who go for a cheaper alternative to liquor.

The Court was hearing a petition under Section 438 CrPC by the petitioner who is seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest.

The bench of Justice Anoop Chitkara observed, “It is common knowledge that spurious liquor can cause devastating trauma and huge tragedy and affect the poor people who go for a cheaper alternative of liquor and usually instead of ethyl alcohol such liquor contains methyl alcohol which is lethal in nature….Therefore the petitioner is not entitled to anticipatory bail.”

Brief Facts-

In the present bail petition, the accused stated that there is no criminal history against him aside from those listed in Annexures. However, the reply indicated that the petitioner has a significant criminal history, including 21 cases, with convictions in 7 of them. These convictions involve offences under the Excise Act.

Considering the lethal nature of the alcohol which is manufactured and sold illegally the Court said that because of this reason the liquor is manufactured and marketed as per food quality standards but once people like the petitioner start dealing at their level, it can create havoc in society.

After analysing the allegations and evidence collected the Court said that the petitioner failed to make out a case for anticipatory bail.

Accordingly, the Court dismissed the petition.

Cause Title: Usha Rani v. State of Punjab (Neutral Citation: 2024:PHHC:079221)