Former Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey has made a sensational revelation about the failure of the state’s liquor ban policy. In a recent podcast, Pandey claimed that despite Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s strong intent and personal monitoring, the prohibition law collapsed due to corruption and failure within the system.
“Nitish Kumar Wanted It to Succeed”
Pandey said that Nitish Kumar was fully committed to making prohibition successful. “The Chief Minister monitored it very closely. He even told me that people listen to you, and your voice will have an impact. Prohibition was his prime agenda,” Pandey revealed.
He further added that not a single rupee of budget was sanctioned for holding awareness campaigns. Yet, hundreds of meetings were conducted across Bihar, with tents, stages, and chairs arranged without government funds. “The public itself supported those meetings. Nobody asks how it was all organized. Everything was done voluntarily,” he said.
“Alcohol Causes Moral and Social Degradation”
The former DGP, known for his strict stand against liquor, reiterated his belief that alcohol leads to moral, social, and spiritual degradation. He recalled several massacres in Bihar, including the Bathe and Senari carnages, claiming they were committed under the influence of liquor.
“I have seen men butchered like animals under intoxication. Women carrying unborn children were shot dead. Crimes such as rape of minors and mass killings are often linked to alcohol and drugs,” Pandey said emotionally, recalling his tenure as SP Aurangabad when he first reached the Bathe massacre site.
“Police and System Failed Prohibition”
According to Pandey, the administration, police officers, watchmen, politicians, and liquor mafias together made sure the liquor ban did not succeed. He stressed that the system itself was responsible for its failure.
“The government wanted prohibition to succeed, but the network of corruption—ranging from some policemen to powerful mafias—ensured it collapsed. This is on record, even printed in newspapers,” Pandey asserted.
Political Reaction
Reacting to Pandey’s statement, Bihar minister Ashok Chaudhary questioned his role when he was heading the state police. “What did he do when he was the DGP? Why did he not act at that time?” Chaudhary asked.
However, Pandey countered this by highlighting his efforts: “I held hundreds of meetings across Bihar in support of prohibition, without any government resources.”
The Debate Continues
With prohibition still in force but facing continuous allegations of rampant smuggling, black-marketing, and even police involvement, Gupteshwar Pandey’s disclosure has once again brought the spotlight on the deep-rooted challenges in enforcing the liquor ban in Bihar.
