- Liquor truck crashed near Kharhat Toll Plaza in Bihar.
- Locals, including women and children, looted alcohol bottles.
- Police investigating viral video to identify looters and driver.
A truck carrying liquor crashed into a road divider near Kharhat Toll Plaza in Bihar on Friday, triggering an unusual rush to the accident site. As word spread that the mini-truck was carrying alcohol, dozens of locals gathered and allegedly began taking away bottles and cartons from the vehicle.
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. In the video, people are seen rushing towards the vehicle and picking up liquor bottles, with some carrying away entire cartons. Women and children can also be seen among the crowd. The footage shows the chaotic scene as locals help themselves to the liquor.
VIDEO:
VIDEO | Bihar: Liquor-laden truck crashes in Araria, locals loot bottles; police probe underway
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2026
Bihar has been a dry state since April 2016, when the government imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol under the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act.… pic.twitter.com/8aMTXabL8u
The truck’s driver and cleaner fled the spot shortly after the accident. Police said they are examining CCTV footage and videos circulating online to identify those involved in the alleged looting.
“It was a usual accident at first sight, but as soon as the locals came to know about the liquor, they gathered in huge numbers, and the looting of the liquor started,” HT quoted a police officer.
The incident has drawn attention as Bihar has been observing a ban since 2016, which makes it illegal to consume, carry and sell alcohol in the state.
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Sadar SDPO Sushil Kumar said additional policemen were sent to the area after videos and photographs of the incident appeared at the district police headquarters. When the police reached the area, the container carrying the country liquor was almost empty.
“All those involved in the loot will be arrested,” Kumar said, adding that police were also searching for the truck driver who escaped after the crash.
Raniganj police said that they have managed to recover the vehicle and are in the process of identifying the vehicle's owner and tracking the network involved in the movement of the liquor. Police are also examining if the consignment originated in Assam or in West Bengal before heading towards the Seemanchal region of Bihar.