Agencies, New Delhi The Supreme Court has directed the High Courts and trial courts not to show any mercy or leniency to the accused in illicit liquor cases.
A bench comprising Justices P Sathasivam and J S Khehar however, directed a trial court to complete the trial of the petitioner within one year failing which the accused shall become entitled for bail. Dismissing the bail petition of the petitioner, the bench noted, ‘’it is a well known fact that Methanol is a poisonous substance and by adding the same while manufacturing spurious alcohol, it can have devastating results and can cause death or severe damage to health or injuries to anyone who consumes it.
Further, such type of offences as in the case on hand, are against the society at large and who commit the same do not deserve any leniency, particularly in the state of Gujarat where complete prohibition is being followed.’’ One hundred and forty seven people had died and 205 suffered serious health damage after consuming spurious liquor in the tragedy which took place in 2009. The main accused Ravinder Singh has sought bail on the ground that he has been facing trial for three years while in jail. His bail was cancelled by Guajrat High court.
Speaking for the bench, Justice Sathasivam further noted, ‘’ it is unfortunate to note that in a state like Gujarat which strictly prohibits the use of alcohol in any form whatsoever, the accused caused death and injuries to several people by supplying spurious country made liquor. Taking a serious view of the matter, the complexity of the crime, the role played by the accused persons as well as the number of casualties we are of the view that it is not a fit case for grant of bail.’’ Another accused Jayesh Hiralal Thakkar had supplied raw material like chemicals such as methyl and ethyl to Vinod Dagri for manufacture of country-made liquor.
