In a major crackdown, Bihar Police arrested 14 people, including Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader Sitaram Prasad, for allegedly participating in a liquor and gambling party in the Nalanda district. The arrests were made on Wednesday night following a tip-off about illegal liquor and gambling activities in the Amber area.
Samrat Deepak, the local police station in-charge, confirmed that during the raids, authorities seized 292 liters of foreign liquor, 10 decks of cards, nine motorcycles, and 14 mobile phones. Prasad, the Asthawan Block President of JDU, was among those taken into custody.
Responding to the incident, the JDU swiftly expelled Prasad from the party, citing damage to the party’s image. In a press release, the party stated, “Sitaram Prasad’s involvement in the liquor case has hurt the party’s reputation. He is being removed from all posts and expelled from the party.”
The arrests have sparked political controversy in the state, with differing reactions from various political figures. JDU leader and Bihar Minister Vijay Chaudhary, who is also in charge of Nalanda district, defended the arrests, stating that it demonstrated the Bihar government’s commitment to law enforcement. “The arrests show the credibility of the government. Even if someone from our own party is involved in illegal activities, they will face the consequences,” Chaudhary said.
However, opposition leader Rakesh Roshan, an RJD MLA from Islampur, criticized the state government, alleging that a “liquor mafia” is flourishing under the government’s protection. Roshan’s remarks have further intensified the debate surrounding Bihar’s prohibition laws and enforcement efforts.