Tejashwi Yadav slams Bihar government over suspected hooch tragedy in Barh

Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the Bihar government following the death of four individuals allegedly due to consumption of adulterated liquor in Barh village, Barh police station, Patna district, on Sunday. The Bihar government's law and order situation was deemed "completely collapsed," according to Mr. Yadav, who demanded a thorough investigation.

The deceased, identified as Sashi Kumar, Vikas Ram, Pankaj Singh, and Nishu Kumar, fell ill after consuming illegal liquor and potentially another intoxicating substance. They were taken to the nearest government hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries during treatment. The exact cause of death would only be determined after post-mortem results, which were still pending at the time of reporting.

Barh Sub Divisional Police Officer Ayush Srivastava stated that the incident was not an isolated case, as similar deaths were occurring regularly due to the administration's negligence. Yadav questioned why poor individuals from the Backward Classes were losing their lives in such tragic hooch incidents and being sent to jail on hooch charges.

Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha visited the families of the deceased and assured them of all possible assistance. The Minister emphasized that the guilty would not be spared. BJP leaders, including Bihar party president Sanjay Saraogi, echoed similar sentiments, calling for strict action against those responsible. Rashtriya Lok Morcha leader Upendra Kushwaha, an alliance partner of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, urged people to abstain from alcohol consumption, stating that even non-spurious alcohol could lead to death.

In April 2016, Bihar declared itself a dry state. Since then, nearly 200 people have died in hooch tragedies, with over 17 lakh people arrested and more than 11.37 lakh cases registered under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act since March 2026.