BASABI RAICHAUDHARY Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This public interest litigation was filed in the wake of unfortunate deaths of 65 persons and 150 persons falling ill after consuming illicit liquor from an illegal outlet in Sangrampur in the District of South 24 Parganas on 14th December, 2011. It has also been pleaded that apart from the aforesaid incident, there have been series of such incidents in the State of West Bengal resulting innumerable persons falling ill or dying due to consumption of illicit liquor.

(2.) Accordingly, prayer has been made for investigation by CBI into the aforesaid incident; for incorporation of appropriate provisions in Bengal Excise Act for exemplary punishment of culprits; formation of guidelines for compensation in such incidents; fixing responsibility of government officials directly or indirectly involved with the alleged incident, demolition of hooch outlets in the State of West Bengal within a particular time frame and other incidental reliefs.

(3.) Affidavit in opposition has been filed on behalf of the respondents wherein it has been stated that the State government has announced compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs) to the family members of the victims who have died in the aforesaid hooch tragedy. State had declared such incident as "disaster" within the meaning of Disaster Management Act, 2005. It has also been pleaded that steps have been taken to amend the provisions of Bengal Excise Act, 1909.