Death penalty for hooch casualties
Death of citizens after consuming spurious liquor can now lead to death penalty to the supplier of the adulterated alcohol. The Delhi government on Tuesday brought into force the new Excise Act by issuing a notification which provides for death penalty/ life imprisonment for those found guilty of supplying spurious liquor causing death. The
Act also provides for prison term and `10 lakhs fine for those caught dealing in such business. The offence now also becomes non-bailable. The new Act will replace the old Punjab Excise Act, which had been extended to Delhi in 1939, and was considered weak in terms of putting effective curbs on spurious liquor sale. Spurious liquor deaths have been reported in the capital but the police and the excise department had failed to put a stop to the menace due to lax norms.
The new Act which has come into force also raises the fine for consuming alcohol at public places to `5,000 from the present `200 and if the offender creates nuisance the fine will be upto `10,000 with a jail term of three months.
“The Act also provides strict punishment for those involved in mixing noxious drugs or ingredients in liquor. If as a result of such an act death is caused, then the offender may face death sentence or life imprisonment and a penalty of upto `10 lakhs,” said Delhi finance minister A.K. Walia during a press conference.
If someone is grievously hurt as a result of such an act, then the law stipulates imprisonment of not less than six years which could be extended to life imprisonment.
“The punishment has been enhanced to deter people from selling spurious liquor and stop hooch tragedies,” added Mr Walia while giving details about the new legislation, which was passed by Delhi Assembly late last year.
Unlawful import, export, manufacture, transport, possession and sale of liquor will attract imprisonment between six months to three years and fine of up to `1 lakh, he added.
Mr Walia further said that Delhi has become the first state to enact its own Excise Act as per the model excise act suggested by the ministry of food processing and industries.
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