Patna High Court strikes down Bihar govt's Prohibition of Liquor Act, terms it 'illegal'

In a major blow to Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, the Patna High Court on Friday struck down the state's Prohibition of Liquor Act. The court termed the act as 'illegal', reported ANI.

On April 5, 2016, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced a complete ban on alcohol in the state with immediate effect. Fulfilling a promise he had made to women before the assembly elections in the state, Nitish Kumar had on November 26, announced his plan to effect a liquor ban in the state.

In June this year,  Nitish Kumar had claimed that there has been a drastic decline in the percentage of crimes in the two months after complete prohibition was imposed in the state. "Heinous crimes have come down by 15% in last two months," he had said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also dismissed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwani Upadhaya's plea, seeking a complete ban on liquor across the nation.