Another illicit liquor tragedy in the state of Punjab devoured forty one lives, and many others are battling for lives in the last two days. Casualties have occurred owing to consumption of spurious liquor manufactured in the state itself, it is crude and astonishing that despite the state laws to contain this menace of illicit liquor; the industry of spurious liquor is moving with no control.

The trade of liquor in the state of Punjab is governed by Punjab Excise Act, 1914 and Punjab liquor license rules 1956. The constitution bench of the supreme court by majority 3:2 held in the case of the state of Punjab vs. Devans Modern Breweries Ltd, (2014) 11 SCC 26 that ‘the right to carry on trade in liquor is a fundamental right within the meaning of article 19 (1) (g) of Constitution of India and the State may, however, legislate prohibiting such trade either in whole or in part in terms of clause (6) thereof’.

But unfortunately, what is being noticed I’m highlighting with a choked voice that reverse is happening for there is a live link and close nexus between the functionaries of the state and the mafia of manufacturer of illicit liquor. As they feel in their perverted wisdom that they are not amenable to the law, courtesy corrupt collusion with the power that be.

Chales Bukowski a German-American poet humorously said ‘That’s the problem with Drinking, I thought, as I poured myself a drink. If something bad happens you drink in an attempt to forget; if something good happens you drink in order to celebrate; and if nothing happens you drink to make something happen.’

The administration has to examine in-depth, why this industry is flourishing despite so-called claimed preventive measures initiated by the state?

Without any logic and reasoning, it is evident that the baron of illicit liquor manufacturer cannot exist without the active connivance of the administration of corrupt politicians, Police and the concerned officers and field staff of the state excise department. They have no concern for human life and only concern for the greed of money. They earn out of the illicit trade of the spurious liquor.

Perhaps no day is left when the newspapers or electronic media is not punctuated with casualties in this state or that state. In other words, it is a common phenomenon both in the States and in the union territories.

I am at loss to understand as to when this will end rather it is being noticed that it is spreading its wings with no control. The persons involved in this tragedy have no human concern that so many mothers are rendered childless, many wives acquire the status of a widow and the children of the deceased family acquire the status of destitute or near orphan throughout their lives.

This otherwise also leaves the indelible stigma not only upon the family of the deceased but also upon the society at large. The government cannot escape from its statutory duty to do everything at its command to crib, cage and cabin this Monster of human life.

It is sadly noted post the tragedy, every government of the day orders a judicial probe from the magistrate which is nothing but a farce to camouflage its duty. The memory of the Indian people is very short, and the pain of tragedy evaporates with the efflux of the time.

The industry of spurious liquor moves on with the usual speed as nothing happened in the past. Contrarily it is seen that the tragedy enhances the volume of greed. The persons responsible for the existence of this industry go scot-free owing to monetary allegiance with the power.

The present is the open and shut case from this statement given by Dinkar Gupta on the last Friday, who happens to be the DGP of a state of Punjab that the death toll would rise further as the spurious liquor network is evidently spread across many areas.

The most important question arises herein for the answer for the state, when it was in the knowledge of the top cop referred, hereinbefore, that the network is evidently spread across many areas, then what was done at their end to eliminate the network forever ever by the police.

It appears beyond any shred of doubt that the police have gone in deep slumber for consideration and was waiting for the tragedy.

The Supreme Court in various judgements has criticized in the strongest possible terms the casualties having its origin in illicit liquor catastrophe. But criticism has gone water off the duck.

The deep-rooted nexus between the politicians, police, and illicit liquor industry mafia warrants an in-depth enquiry by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The High Court is expected to initiate Suo Motu proceedings against the persons responsible for this miss fortune occurred not only to the persons affected but also to the society at large.