Illicit liquor a public health crisis, not just a crime: Telangana High Court

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has ruled that the menace of illicitly distilled liquor (IDL) must be viewed as a serious public health emergency and a threat to societal stability, rather than merely a routine law and order problem.

The observation was made by a division bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice BR Madhusudhan Rao, which was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by a woman challenging the preventive detention of her husband, who is accused in multiple IDL-related cases.

Court dismisses plea, cites larger societal impact

Dismissing the petition, the bench underlined the devastating and far-reaching consequences of illicit liquor, particularly on vulnerable communities. It pointed to several hooch tragedies that have claimed lives and left families shattered.

“We cannot close our eyes to the real possibility that IDL unfit for human consumption can cause permanent, immeasurable damage to public health and social order,” the court noted.

Repeat offender behind bars

The petitioner’s husband is currently lodged at Cherlapally Central Prison, facing six cases involving the possession and sale of illicit liquor. Notably, the petitioner herself also has four similar cases registered against her.

The court emphasised that the scale and severity of the offence go well beyond isolated criminal acts, affecting the social fabric, future generations, and public welfare at large.

Illicit liquor destabilises communities

Stressing the need for stringent action, the bench stated that IDL not only kills consumers but also destroys families, ruins children’s futures, and causes irreversible damage to communities.

“If this is not destabilisation of public order, then what is?” the court observed, justifying the government’s action in detaining repeat offenders under preventive laws.