#Bihar Excise Act

The Patna High Court has ruled that recovery of liquor from a joint family home cannot sustain a charge under the Bihar Excise Act after the 2018 amendment eliminated deemed possession. Without evidence linking the accused to exclusive control or knowledge of the contraband, mere presence in a shared dwelling is insufficient for prosecution - a critical safeguard for innocent family members caught in excise raids.

Patna High Court grants provisional anticipatory bail under the Bihar Excise Act but mandates verification of clean antecedents for confirmation. The ruling rejects custodial confessions as sole evidence and underscores the need for corroborative proof of possession or involvement.