Punjab and Haryana High Court: Custodial interrogation must in illicit liquor case

Chandigarh, August 26: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that custodial interrogation of an accused in an illicit liquor case was essential to bust the racket. “The alleged modus operandi adopted by the accused needs to be unearthed,” the Bench said.

The assertion by Justice Arun Monga came on a plea by Jasbir Singh against Haryana. He was seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered at Bond Kalan police station in Charkhi Dadri on June 14 for criminal conspiracy, rash driving and other offences under Sections 120B, 279, and 336 IPC and provisions of the Punjab Excise Act, The Tribune reported.

It was stated in the FIR that a tip-off was received on February 6 by the police about transportation of “huge quantity” of liquor in a vehicle from Panipat to Dadri and two persons were escorting in a car.

Barricades were erected en route and on noticing the approaching car, the police signalled it to stop, but the driver, after trying to run the car over the cops, managed to flee. However, the other vehicle was stopped and country-made liquor seized. 

During interrogation, two accused disclosed that they were working for the petitioner. Opposing the bail plea, the state counsel said the probe revealed that the petitioner was the “kingpin” of the illegal trade. 

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-custodial-interrogation-must-in-illicit-liquor-case-131336