95% conviction rate in prohibition offences since July 2024, say Tamil Nadu police

The Tamil Nadu police achieved 95% conviction rate in prohibition cases in the northern districts in the year since July 2024.

After hooch tragedies claimed over 90 lives in Kallakurichi, Villuppuram, and Chengalpet districts, special teams were formed to expedite the trial in pending cases as part of a multi-pronged strategy to curb the brewing, transport, and sale of spurious liquor in 10 northern districts. The accused persons in many of these cases — mostly belonging to Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, and Villuppuram districts — were found guilty and punished.

In the last one year, 14,900 cases were registered against hundreds of suspects in these districts, especially in the Kalvarayan and Javvadhu  Hills. About 1 lakh kg of jaggery, 20,011 litres of illicit arrack, and raw materials were seized during the combing operations, according to a press release.

“We have taken steps to detain 123 habitual offenders under the Bootleggers Act. Manufacture and sale of spurious liquor has almost been eradicated in the zone, thanks to the untiring efforts of the police who gathered actionable intelligence and acted on it swiftly,” said Inspector-General of Police, North Zone, Asra Garg.

Financial investigation

Besides sending the suspects to jail, the police continued the investigation into their sources of raw materials and transport network. Wherever neighbouring States were involved, the assistance of the local police was sought to apprehend the suppliers. “We also froze the bank accounts of all the prohibition offenders and brought their immovable assets under scrutiny. Properties found to have been purchased with the proceeds of the crime would be attached,” Mr. Asra Garg said.

Under the newly introduced provisions of Section 52AA of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, 3,821 suspects who were habitually involved in prohibition offences were ordered to execute a bond with sureties for good behaviour. Those violating the bond conditions were arrested.

Rehabilitation schemes

Mr. Asra Garg said schemes to provide alternative employment to reformed prohibition offenders were being implemented across the zone in association with other departments. Apart from arranging loans for starting small businesses, the authorities were providing them with milch animals and conducting subsidy-linked employment-oriented welfare schemes.