SC asks what prohibition has actually achieved:Gujarat remains dry yet has seen 600+ deaths from poisonous liquor; prohibition increases illicit trade

The Supreme Court has said that prohibition does not end alcohol addiction or deaths caused by illicit liquor. The court said that forced prohibition is not a solution to the problem of alcohol. A bench headed by Justice JB Pardiwala said that prohibition had been in force in Gujarat for decades, but deaths caused by illicit liquor had not stopped. More than 600 people were killed in 10 major incidents involving methanol-laced liquor. The Supreme Court made the observation on 18 September while delivering its verdict striking down Rules 18A and 18B of the Maharashtra Poisons Rules, 1972. These regulations controlled the purchase and possession of methanol. Non-pharmaceutical manufacturers were required to add coloring and bittering agents to methanol before selling it. The court also referred to recent incidents in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. Around 13 and 15 people, respectively, had died in these incidents. The liquor trade is strictly underground During the hearing, the court observed that a complete ban on alcohol drives the liquor trade underground, leading to the proliferation of spurious liquor. “The recent incidents of hooch tragedy in Bhavnagar, Gujarat and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh are a reminder to the authorities to wake up and take action,” the order said. Hearing on petition challenging Maharashtra rules The Supreme Court was hearing a petition challenging Sections 18A and 18B of the Maharashtra Poisons Rules, which prohibit the purchase of methanol. They also require non-pharmaceutical manufacturers to add bittering agents and coloring agents to methanol before selling it. These rules were implemented in 1991 after a spate of deaths following consumption of spurious liquor purchased from Chhaya Bar in Mumbai. A total of 250 people drank the alcohol, and 93 died. It was later discovered that these people had consumed methanol. Methanol is no less dangerous than poison. The court declared these regulations unconstitutional and arbitrary. It stated that they imposed a significant financial burden on the industry. These regulations did not address the root causes of alcohol poisoning, including methanol theft, misappropriation, and corruption. Instructions to stop supply of illegal liquor The bench issued several directives to governments, highlighting the need to break the supply and demand chain of alcohol. It also called for increased surveillance at interstate borders to prevent illegal liquor transportation. The court noted that many municipal school premises are open grounds and are often used to store illicit liquor. The court advised governments to monitor industrial units producing chemical solvents, which sell these solvents illegally to liquor manufacturers. The Supreme Court said that methanol should be transported in separate tankers or containers. This would eliminate the possibility of methanol theft or substitution. ​