Prohibition breach allegations surface at Samastipur civic body office, Muz hosp

Patna: In a state where liquor has been banned for a decade, prohibition violations have surfaced within two public institutions in quick succession — a district-level govt office in Samastipur and north Bihar’s largest govt hospital in Muzaffarpur.A video purportedly showing employees consuming liquor inside the Samastipur Zila Parishad office went viral on social media on Sunday, just days after two people were arrested for allegedly drinking liquor inside Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur.The viral footage shows three people allegedly consuming liquor around a table while four people are seated inside a room. A liquor bottle and glasses containing liquor can also be seen on the table.

The authenticity of the video has not been officially verified, but district authorities have launched an inquiry.Samastipur deputy development commissioner Surya Pratap Singh said, “The viral video has come to my notice. We are verifying its authenticity. If the video is genuine and staff involvement is confirmed, strict action will be taken against those found guilty.”Earlier, on June 18, police recovered country-made liquor from an orthopaedic ward of SKMCH after patients complained that relatives of an admitted patient had been consuming liquor on the hospital premises for several days.

According to patients, liquor was allegedly brought into the ward concealed in water bottles and soft drink containers. Following a complaint, SKMCH outpost police conducted a search and recovered country-made liquor from a soft drink bottle kept in a bag.The patient’s father and brother were arrested and sent to judicial custody. Police are investigating how liquor entered the hospital premises and whether others were involved.SKMCH superintendent Dr Mahesh Prasad said, “The hospital is a place for treatment. Such activities will not be tolerated at any cost. An FIR will be lodged and legal action taken against those found guilty.”He added that responsibility would also be fixed if negligence by hospital staff was established.SKMCH outpost in charge Pintu Kumar said police were investigating the route through which liquor was brought into the hospital and any possible collusion.