CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu assembly passed a bill on Saturday to significantly increase penalties for various offences related to illicit liquor, including manufacture, sale and possession. The bill mandates life imprisonment with a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh for cases resulting in death, up from the current fine of Rs 5,000.
Following the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi that claimed 65 lives, the govt felt that the existing punishment under The Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, are insufficient to deter heinous crimes such as the manufacture, possession, and sale of illicit liquor.
“The punishment provided under the Act for the offences relating to prohibited liquors such as denatured spirits, and methanol, which are often admixed with illicit liquor, have to be substantially increased to have a strong deterrent effect on the bootleggers who are habitually engaged in the manufacture, possession and sale of illicit liquors, which often results in loss of precious human life,” prohibition and excise minister S Muthusamy said.
Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu suggested an amendment that law minister S Regupathy incorporated into the bill. The amendment stipulates that no person accused of an offence under this law, if in custody, be released on bail or their own bond unless the public prosecutor has had an opportunity to oppose the application. The court must also be convinced that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty and is unlikely to commit any offence while on bail.
The bill also includes provisions to confiscate all immovable properties used in the commission of offences and to seal unlicensed places used for the consumption of liquor. The DMK allies, including TVK, KMDK, MDMK, and CPI, called for holding govt officials accountable for offences in their respective areas under the Act.
Minister Muthusamy responded by noting that legislation might become more stringent based on recommendations from a govt committee and a commission of inquiry. The chief minister instructed the department to reduce the number of Tasmac outlets, he said.
Following the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi that claimed 65 lives, the govt felt that the existing punishment under The Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, are insufficient to deter heinous crimes such as the manufacture, possession, and sale of illicit liquor.
“The punishment provided under the Act for the offences relating to prohibited liquors such as denatured spirits, and methanol, which are often admixed with illicit liquor, have to be substantially increased to have a strong deterrent effect on the bootleggers who are habitually engaged in the manufacture, possession and sale of illicit liquors, which often results in loss of precious human life,” prohibition and excise minister S Muthusamy said.
Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu suggested an amendment that law minister S Regupathy incorporated into the bill. The amendment stipulates that no person accused of an offence under this law, if in custody, be released on bail or their own bond unless the public prosecutor has had an opportunity to oppose the application. The court must also be convinced that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty and is unlikely to commit any offence while on bail.
The bill also includes provisions to confiscate all immovable properties used in the commission of offences and to seal unlicensed places used for the consumption of liquor. The DMK allies, including TVK, KMDK, MDMK, and CPI, called for holding govt officials accountable for offences in their respective areas under the Act.
Minister Muthusamy responded by noting that legislation might become more stringent based on recommendations from a govt committee and a commission of inquiry. The chief minister instructed the department to reduce the number of Tasmac outlets, he said.
