Recovery of Liquor: Patna HC reprimands Income Tax Dept for not Attaching Property of Liquor Syndicate [Read Order]

Patna High Court on Monday strongly reprimanded the Income Tax Department in the case relating to the recovery of large quantity liquor in the state, despite the prohibition law in Bihar.

Justice Sandeep Kumar orally remarked, "Where does the money come from with the liquor syndicate? Who will investigate this?" The Bench was hearing the anticipatory bail plea of one Gangaram. The matter relates to a police case involving recovery of 4,800 litres of IMFL at Badlapur Bagicha, Matihani police station in Begusarai district.

Earlier, the court had directed the Income Tax Department to probe into the illegal assets amassed by such smugglers and submit a report before the court.

While considering the criminal miscellaneous petition, the Court said that “it appears that the Income Tax Department has not conducted any investigation in the matter of illegally acquired wealth by the members of the liquor syndicate. The Income Tax Department should get the details from the Police and thereafter investigate the illegally acquired wealth by the members of the liquor syndicate, who have themselves made confession that they have acquired property/cash from their business of illicit liquor.”

The Court further asked the Income Tax Department will file a supplementary counter affidavit within three weeks from today after a proper investigation of the matter.

To Read the full text of the Order CLICK HERE

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