The Supreme Court of India asked the Punjab government on December 5 to issue a circular stating that local police will be held accountable for illegal liquor manufacturing units (bhattis) operating under their supervision. A bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar issued the orders in response to a petition challenging an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that refused to transfer the investigation into cases of illegal liquor manufacturing to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Supreme Court remarked "So many FIRs have been registered under the Punjab Excise Act. So, isn't it a failure on the part of the state to curb illegal transportation, and manufacture of the spurious liquor? Is it not shocking?", Justice MR Shah observed. "The Youth will be finished. The illegal manufacture of alcohol and drugs should be stopped. It is very unfortunate that this is happening. That too, who is the sufferer? Poor people, who cannot afford...That is why there is 'spirit' and all these things because it is very cheap."

The Court granted the government time to file a detailed counter on the following issues:

1) Concrete steps that can be taken to reduce illicit liquor production (both domestic and commercial);
2) Possible uses for the money (in crores) recovered as a penalty

In the order, the Court also suggested that it could be used for awareness campaigns or to increase manpower at border crossings. The issue will be discussed again on December 12.

The bench was dissatisfied with the slow pace of the investigation into complaints filed in this regard and had requested a counter-affidavit detailing the distilleries, bottling plants, and breweries whose licences were reported to have been axed and/or penalties/duties imposed.

Case Title: Tarsem Jodhan & Anr. v. State of Punjab & Ors. 
Citation: SLP (C) No. 3764/2021