Patna, Sept. 9: A police official posted in West Champaran district didn't have any qualms in admitting before the court liquor was being sold not only in areas in his jurisdiction but also in different parts of the state defying prohibition.

Irked over police officer Chandrashekhar Prasad Gupta's remarks, the additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) of Narkatiaganj sub-divisional court, Girish Mishra, wrote to Bettiah superintendent of police (SP) Vinay Kumar on Thursday for suitable action against him.

The officer's remarks came after the ACJM complained to the Sikarpur police station house officer (SHO), Gupta, about alcohol sale in the vicinity of the court. People in drunken state were often found indulging in a verbal duel with the lawyers and litigants who come to the court to attend proceedings or abusing them.

The ACJM summoned SHO Gupta and directed him to initiate steps to check sale of liquor near the court. Showing his inability to stop sale of liquor, the SHO told the court: 'What can I do when liquor is being sold across the state?'

The SHO also said the job of the police was to ensure safety and security to commercial banks and shops dealing in jewellery and not look after security around the court. 'This is what we have been told by our seniors and I'm duty-bound to follow my senior's instructions,' Gupta told the ACJM when the latter asked him to step up patrolling in the area.

Mishra wrote to the Bettiah SP saying the SHO's remarks have lowered the dignity of the post he holds. He asked the SP to initiate steps to ensure the provisions of the dry law were followed. The ACJM's letter, a copy of which is with The Telegraph, directed the SP to ensure safety and security of people, especially the frightened judicial employees.

SHO Gupta feigned ignorance about ACJM's complaint. 'I'm not aware of any such incident,' he said.

Bettiah SP Vinay said he has received the ACJM's complaint. 'Action will be taken against the SHO after verification of the complaint. This is a serious matter and the erring cop will not be spared,' Vinay said.

Residents said several villages near Narkatiaganj sub-divisional town were engaged in brewing country liquor. Notably, 11 SHOs were suspended and departmental proceedings initiated against them on the police headquarters' directive for their failure to enforce prohibition laws last year.