NEW DELHI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- High Court in India's eastern state of Bihar Friday quashed local government's notification of banning liquor, saying it was illegal.
"The government notification on banning liquor is ultra vires to the constitution, hence not enforceable," the court in its verdict said.
Friday's court order has struck down the liquor ban in the state, ardently championed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The local government has passed the new Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill-2016 and even got Governor's assent to the Bill. However critics described it "draconian" for it ordered strict penalties against family members of anyone found drinking, selling or making liquor.
In April this year local government headed by Kumar announced a blanket ban on sale and consumption of liquor. The ban was one of Kumar's election campaign promises during last year's local elections.
Bihar was the fourth state to completely ban alcohol in India.
Alcohol is completely banned in the western state of Gujarat, and northern eastern states of Manipur and Nagaland. It is also partially banned in few other states.
Last month, 17 people were killed in state's Gopalganj district after consuming country made bootleg liquor.
