Seven liquor dealers – whose wedding attendees bought the alcohol – have also been arrested.
Forty people, who attended a wedding procession in Bihar's Muzaffarpur on Sunday, were arrested for drinking alcohol and flouting the liquor ban that the state has been struggling to enforce since 2016.
All the arrested people from the groom's side were drunk and were planning to perform 'naagin' dance during the wedding procession, officials said.
According to police, those present also had liquor bottles with them to give as gifts to other people during the wedding ceremony.
Police seized two vehicles during the incident, a spokesperson said.
In addition to the forty people, seven liquor dealers – whose wedding visitors bought the alcohol – have also been arrested. All liquor was also seized, police said.
The action against those flouting the liquor ban was taken by excise department officials disguised as common people.
“The excise department is continuously conducting a campaign against bootleggers and drunkards. Our team members are keeping an eye on them,” said excise inspector Shivendra Jha.
Many cases of liquor ban violations have come to light in Bihar over the years.
Every year there have been cases of people dying after consuming illicit liquor in the state.
Last month, the Patna High Court criticized Bihar government officials over the total liquor ban in the state, noting that they love the legislation as it means 'big money' to them.
“Not only the police officials, excise officials, but also tax department and transport department officials like liquor ban, it means a lot of money for them. The ban has effectively given rise to illicit trade in liquor and other contraband. items,” Justice Purnendu Singh said in an order.
