Illegal liquor is being sold in abundance, the treasury is also empty… Why are these figures not in favor of liquor ban in Bihar?

In the year 2016, Nitish Kumar’s government had decided to ban liquor in Bihar. Women have welcomed it very much. They hoped that they would soon get rid of domestic violence, wastage of money and especially drunken husbands. But liquor is still available in Bihar. These are the figures of liquor seizure released by Bihar government. According to the data released by Bihar Police, there has been an increase of 11 percent in the cases of confiscation of liquor in the first five months of 2026.

Bihar Police said that it seized more than 17.5 lakh liters of liquor worth Rs 141 crore from January to May in the year 2026. This includes figures of 8,01,537 liters of desi and 9,51,796 liters of Indian made foreign liquor. Bihar Police has seized an average of 3,50,677 liters of liquor every month.

From January to May, 56,904 people were arrested in cases related to liquor prohibition. Of these, 19,877 were allegedly involved in liquor trade and supply, while 37,027 people were booked for consuming liquor. However, Bihar Police has attributed the increase in seizures to increased surveillance across the state and strictness in enforcing liquor ban laws.

Headlines

• More than 17.5 lakh liters of liquor seized in Bihar in 5 months of 2026
• There has been an increase of 11 percent in cases of liquor seizure.
• 1,718,058 persons were arrested for prohibition related crimes in the last 10 years
• During 10 years, 48.3 million liters (4 crore 83 lakh) of liquor was seized.
• Loss of more than Rs 30,000 crore since liquor ban

How much liquor was seized in the year 2025?

Bihar Police seized 11 percent more liquor compared to last year. A total of 15,73,050 liters of illicit liquor was seized by the police in Bihar from January to May during 2025. 7,23,550 liters of country liquor and 8,49,500 liters of foreign liquor (IMFL) were included. A total of 37,75,321 liters of liquor was seized in the entire year. Its price was Rs 293.58 crore. At the same time, 1,25,575 people were arrested.

Will Bihar suffer a loss of Rs 30 thousand crores due to liquor ban?

• On one hand, cases of liquor confiscation are continuously coming to light in Bihar and on the other hand, it is also facing huge loss in its revenue. According to the analysis report released by PRS Legislative on the budget of Bihar government, between 201213 and 201516, the revenue from liquor tax in the state was between 0.8 to 1 percent of GSDP.
• In 2015-16, the state government had earned Rs 3,142 crore from the tax on liquor. But this earning decreased to Rs 30 crore in 2016-17. Then it reduced to almost nothing. According to an estimate, Bihar has suffered a loss of more than Rs 30,000 crore in the last 10 years due to liquor prohibition.
• Due to prohibition, Bihar lost a large part of its GSDP in 2016-17, i.e. one percent. This loss was more than 15 percent of the state’s total tax earnings.

What is the fiscal and revenue deficit of Bihar?

• Bihar government had set a target of limiting the fiscal deficit to 3 percent of GSDP in the budget of 2025-26. But according to economy experts, it is likely to increase to 11.8 percent.
• Bihar government’s own estimate is that it will get a revenue surplus of Rs 1,143 crore in the financial year 2026-27. This will be 0.1 percent of the state’s GSDP. But according to the figures of the year 2025-26 and new estimates, the state may face a revenue loss of Rs 76,315 crore in the financial year 2026-27. Which will be 6.7 percent of GSDP.

Has the pressure on Bihar courts increased after liquor ban?

Cases related to liquor seizure are also increasing continuously in the courts of Bihar. Former Chief Justice NV Ramana has also commented on this during his tenure. While reprimanding the Bihar government, he had said that the liquor ban cases have suffocated the courts. The Supreme Court said that these cases have put the work of the Patna High Court on hold. According to a figure, more than 63 lakh cases are pending in the courts of Bihar. Of these, more than 37 lakh cases are pending in the lower courts of the state alone.

On April 27, 2026, the Bihar government had released a comprehensive report regarding liquor ban. According to this report, in the last 10 years, 1,718,058 persons were arrested in crimes related to prohibition. During this period, 48.3 million liters (4 crore 83 lakh) of liquor was seized. These include 24.2 million liters of domestic and 24 million liters of foreign liquor. Also, a total of more than 167,000 vehicles were seized in cases related to prohibition. Of these, 80,207 vehicles were auctioned. From this the state got a total revenue of Rs 357.21 crore. In such a situation, it can definitely be said that among the cases pending in the state courts, a large number are cases related to liquor ban.