Within six months of prohibition being imposed in Bihar, the Patna High Court on Friday put an end to the liquor ban imposed by the Nitish Kumar government.

A high court bench, which heard a petition against the ban, termed it "illegal" and it also criticised the stringent provisions in Bihar's new excise law.

During the 2015 assembly elections in Bihar, Nitish Kumar promised that he would ban liquor in the state. In November 2015, the five-time chief minister announced complete liquor ban from April 1, 2016.

The Bihar Assembly on March 31, 2016 passed the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Bill 2016, which ensured a ban on country-made liquor in the state from April 1. Days later, the Bihar government extended the ban on IMFL brands, effectively ensuring a blanket ban on liquor.

Read : Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016

On August 1, Bihar government made amendments to the four-months old bill and added stricter provisions.

A little over a fortnight later on August 17, a moonshine tragedy in the Gopalganj area left 18 people dead.

On September 1, the Patna High Court struck down Bihar government’s decision.

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