Patna: A total of 1.43 lakh persons were arrested for violating the liquor prohibition law in the state in 2023. However, it is comparatively 16% less than the number of arrests for similar offence in 2022. Though the figures of arrest came down last year, but the seizure of illegal liquor increased by 19% in 2023, compared to 2022.
ADG (HQ) Jitendra Singh Gangwar said the number of prohibition cases registered in the year 2022 was 96,157, against 72,060 in 2023.It was 25% less than the cases registered in 2022. The year 2023 also recorded a 16% decline in the number of arrests, but the liquor seizure increased by 19%, he said.

After the liquor ban imposed in the state in 2016, Bihar police and the prohibition department have been continuously recovering illegal liquor by adopting various tactics and keeping a close watch on the rail and road routes, including the diara areas. Drone cameras for surveillance in diara areas and dog squads from Telangana have also been deployed. However, illegal liquor trade, mafias and smugglers in Bihar seem to be spoiling the government’s intention of making the state alcohol free.
“Only 10% of the total number of people sent to judicial custody in 2023 were boozers, while 90% of them were liquor traders, suppliers and other mafias involved in the illicit trade. Around 52% of the prohibition law offenders were released after paying fines and only 48% were sent to judicial custody. A total of 224 liquor mafias of other states were arrested in 2023, with Jharkhand on top with 75 arrests. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were in the second and third positions with 57 and 34 arrests,” added Gangwar.