The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 1

1
THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR EXCISE ACT, 1958 (1901 A.D)

(SANCTIONED BY H IS H IGHNESS THE M AHARAJA SAHIB BAHADUR IN

COUNCIL VIDE STATE COUNCIL RESOLUTION N O.9
DATED 4TH DECEMBER 1901).

AN ACT TO CONSOLIDATE AND AMEND

THE EXCISE LAW OF THE J AMMU AND KASHMIR STATE.

Whereas it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the

import, export, transport, manufacture, sale and possession of intoxicating 2liquor
and intoxicating drugs in the Jammu and Kashmir State; it is enacted as follows :-

I. PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIONS

1. S HORT T I T L E . - This Act may be cited as the Jammu and Kashmir Excise
Act, 1958.
Extent – It extends to the whole of the territories of 3[the State;] and
Commencement - It shall come into force in any local area within the
said territories to such extent and from such date as 4[the Government] by
notification shall direct.

2. R EPEAL OF ENACTMENTS , RULES AND REGULATIONS. – From the date on

which this Act comes into force in any local area, the enactments, rules
and regulations governing the Excise revenue at present in force shall be
repealed :

1. By the Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956 (Central Act 62 of 1956) the two
central Acts – the opium Act, 1857 (XIII of 1857) and the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930 (II of
1930) – have been extended to the State and they have come into force with effect from 1st
November, 1956. The Jammu and Kashmir Excise Act, 1958 has, therefore, to be read subject
to the provisions contained in the two Central Acts referred to above so far as opium and
dangerous drugs are concerned.
2. The word or words “opium” “opium or” and “opium and”, according as it may be grammatically
appropriate in each case shall be deleted in the preamble and where ever they occur in the
following sections and sub-sections namely :-
3 (1), 3 (14) , 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 28, 30, 35, 47, 49, 50, 57 and 58
but the word “opium” where it first occurs in the proviso of section 11 shall not be deleted vide
Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
3. Substituted vide Act X of 2010 for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur of Jammu and
Kashmir Government”.
4. In Sections 1 (Para third), 3 clauses (7) and (8), 4, 5 (proviso), 7, 8, 10 (d) 11, 12, 13, 15, 16,
17(e), 18, 20(d), 25, 63(b), 63(C), 63(d) and 64 for the words “His Highness the Maharaja
Bahadur “ the words ‘ the Government’ substituted vide Act X of 1996.
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 2

Provided that all licences granted under any of the said

enactments, rules and regulations in force on the date on which this Act
comes into force in any local area, shall continue in force for the periods for
which the same have been respectively granted, subject to the provisions
of the enactments, rules and regulations under which such licences were
granted:

Provided further that the said repeal shall not affect any act done
or any offence committed, or any proceedings commenced, or any claim
which has arisen, or any penalty which has been incurred before this Act
comes into force.

3. Interpretation. – In this Act, unless there be something repugnant in the

subject or context,---

(1)“Excise Revenue” – “Excise Revenue” means revenue derived or

derivable from any duty, fee, tax, fine or
confiscation imposed or ordered under the
provisions of this Act or of any other law for
the time being in force relating to liquor or
intoxicating drugs;

1[(2) 2[(a) ‘Commissioner’ means any person appointed by the

Government to exercise the functions of
Commissioner under this Act;

(b) ‘Deputy Commissioner’ means any person appointed by

the Government to exercise the functions of
the Deputy Commissioner under this Act in
any province;

(c) “Excise and Taxation Officer ” means any officer or

person appointed or invested with powers
under this Act.]

*[(2-a) “Denatured / methylated spirit” means spirit effectually

and permanently rendered unfit for human
consumption]

3[(3) “ Liquor” means intoxicating liquor and includes spirits of

wine, methylated spirits, spirits, wine, beer
and all liquids consisting of or containing
alcohol; also any substance which the
Government may by notification in the
Government Gazette declare to be liquor for
purposes of this Act.]

1. Clause (2) of section 3 substituted vide Act VIII of 1956.

2. Sub-Clauses (a) and (b) substituted vide Act XIV of 1966.
3. Clause (3) of section 3 substituted vide Act VIII of 1956.
* Clause (2-a) inserted by Act XX of 1978. S2
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 3

1 (4) Omitted.

(5) “Beer” – “Beer” includes ale, stout, porter, cider and all other
fermented liquors usually made from malt.
1 (6) Omitted.

1 (7) Omitted.
2[(8) ‘Opium’ means: –

(i) the capsules of the poppy (Papaver Somniferum L), whether

in their original form or cut, crushed or powdered and
whether or not juice has been extracted there-from;
(ii) the spontaneously coagulated juice of such capsules which
has not been submitted to any manipulations other than
those necessary for packing and transport; and
(iii) any mixture, with or without neutral materials, of any of
the above forms of opium but does not include any
preparation containing not more than 0.2% of morphine or
a manufactured drug as defined in section 2 of the
Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930 ( Central Act 2 of 1930)]
3[ (9) “Intoxicating Drug”- “Intoxicating drug” includes 4[opium]
charas, ganja, bhang and every other
preparation and admixture of the same, and
every intoxicating drink or substance
prepared from any part of the hemp plant,
from the grain or from other material, not
included in the term “liquor”. 5 [ X X X ]
6 [ X X X ]

(10) “Sale or selling” – “Sale or selling’ includes any transfer

otherwise than by way of gift.

7[(10-a) Liquor and intoxicating drugs other than prepared opium

and dangerous drugs shall be deemed to be
sold “by retail” when sold in quantities not
exceeding the quantity (if any) fixed in
respect of the same by rules made under
this Act as the largest which may be
possessed by one person, at one time,
without a licence, permit or pass; and “by
wholesale” when sold in quantities larger
than the above].

1. Clauses (4), (6) and (7) of section 3 omitted vide Act VIII of 1956.
2. Clause (8) substituted vide A ct IX of 1961.
3. Clause (9) as amended by amendi ng Act of 1970 substituted vide Notification No. 14
published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
4. “Opium” inserted vide Act IX of 1961.
5. Deleted by Act IX of 1961.
6. Second paragraph deleted vide ibid.
7. Clause (10-a````````) inserted vide Notification No. 14 published n government Gazette dated
17th Phagan 1983.
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 4

(11) “Import” –“Import” means to bring into the State territory from
1[any other part of India].

(12) “Export” – “Export” means to take out of the State territory to

1[any other part of India].

(13) “Transport” – “Transport” means to move from one place to

another within the State territory.

(14) “Manufacture” – “Manufacture” includes every process,

whether natural or artificial by which any
fermented, spirituous or intoxicating liquor,
or intoxicating drug is produced or
prepared, and also redistillation and every
process for the rectification of liquor.

(15) “Rectification” – “Rectification” includes every process whereby

spirits are purified or are coloured or
flavoured by mixing any material therewith.
2
(16) Omitted
3
[(1 7) “Imprisonment” – “Imprisonment” includes both simple and
rigorous.]
4
[(18) “ Molasses” - means the heavy dark coloured viscous liquid
produced in the final stage of manufacture
of gur or sugar containing , in solution or
suspension sugars which can be fermented,
and includes the solid form of such liquid
and also any products formed by the
addition to such liquid or solid of any
ingredient which does not substantially
alter the character of such liquid or solid
and from which the wash is prepared but
does not include any article which the State
government may, by notification in the
Government Gazette, declare not to be
molasses for the purpose of this Act.” ]

5[3-A. “Country liquor” and “foreign liquor”. – The Government may by

notification in the Government Gazette declare what for the purposes of
this Act or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to be “country liquor” and
“foreign liquor”.]

1. Substituted vide Act XIII of 1969.

2. Clause (16) omitted vide Act XL of 1966.
3. Clause (17) added vide Council Resolution dated 27th November, 1903.
4. The J&K Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1999. Act No. XI of 1999.
5. Section 3-A inserted vide Act VIII of 1956.
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 5

II. ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTROL

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[4. Appointment of Excise and Taxation Officer. – The Government
may appoint such officers as it thinks to be 2 [Commissioner,] 2[Deputy
Commissioners] and Excise and Taxation Officers: and the officers so
appointed shall exercise such powers as may be conferred and perform such
duties as may be required by or under this Act.]

3
[4 -A. Delegation of power conferred by section 4. – (1) The
Government may delegate any of the powers conferred by section 4 to any
of the officers named therein, and may further empower them to appoint
such other servants as are necessary for the carrying out of this Act.

(1) Every person appointed in exercise of such delegated power may be

suspended or dismissed by the officer who appointed him.]
4
[4 -B.] Superintendence and control of the Excise Administration
and Excise Officers.- (1) subject to the control of the Government and
unless the Government by notification otherwise directs the genera l
superintendence and administration of all matters, relating to Excise shall
vest in the Commissioner.

(2) Subject to the general superintendence and control of the

Commissioner and unless the Government by notification otherwise directs,
the Deputy Commissioner shall control all Excise and Taxation officers in his
division.

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[4 -C]. Appeal - An appeal shall lie from an order passed by –

(i) an Excise and Taxation Officer to the deputy Commissioner

(ii) a Deputy Commissioner in exercise of his original
jurisdiction to the commissioner ;

Provided that the appeal is preferred within sixty

days from the date of order.

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[4 -D] Revision and Review.
(1) The Commissioner may, suo moto at anytime or an application made to
him in this behalf, call for the record of any proceedings which are
pending before, or have been disposed of by any authority subordinate
to him for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the legality or
propriety of such proceedings or any order made therein and may pass
such orders in relation thereto as he may deem fit:

1. Section 4 substituted vide Act VIII of 1956.

2. Substituted vide Act XIV of 1966.
3. Section 4.-A inserted vide ibid.
4. Section 4-B inserted by Act XIX of 1981.
5. Sections 4-C and 4-D inserted by Act XIX of 1981.
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 6

Provided that the application shall be made within a period of ninety

days of the date of taking of the proceedings or of passing of the order
as the case may be.

(2) The authority passing an order may review such order or that of its
predecessor whether suo moto or at the instance of the aggrieved
party.

Provided that an order passed in review shall not be subject to further

review by the same authority;

Provided further that a review petition submitted by an aggrieved party

will be admissible only if –

(a) there are some new facts or circumstances warranting

reconsideration of the order ; or
(b) there has been a mistake or error apparent on the face of
the record, or
(c) for any other sufficient reasons.

(3) Applications for review may before submission of appeal be preferred to

the authority which passed the original order by a person who on
account of some mistake or error apparent on the face of record or for
any other sufficient reason desires to obtain review of the order passed
against him.

(4) the period of limitation for any application for review shall be thirty days.

(5) No order shall be made under this section which adversely affects the
rights of any person upon whom an obligation is imposed by or under
this Act, without giving such person a reasonable opportunity of being
heard.

III. IMPORT, EXPORT AND TRANSPORT

1
[5 Import of liquor and intoxicating drugs - No liquor or intoxicating
drug shall be imported into the Jammu and Kashmir State except :-

(a) after payment of any duty to which it may be liable under this
Act, or execution of a bond for such payment, and
(b) in compliance with such conditions as the Government may
impose.]

1. Section 5 substituted by Act XIV of 1966.

 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 7

6 Export of liquor or intoxicating drug. – No liquor or intoxicating

drug shall be exported unless it has been lawfully imported or
manufactured in the State, and its export is permitted by competent
authority on payment of the fee or duty, if any, to which it is liable under
any law for the time being in force.

1
[ X X X]

7 Transport of liquor, opium or intoxicating drug may be

prohibited. – 2[The Government] may from time to time, by notification
in the Government Gazette, prohibit the transport of liquor, or intoxicating
drugs from any local area into any other local area.

8 And must be covered by a permit. – No liquor or intoxicating drugs

exceeding such quantity as 2[the Government ] may from time to time
prescribe by notification, either generally for the whole State or for any
local area, shall be transported, except it be accompanied by a permit
issued under the provisions of the next following section :

Provided that in the case of foreign liquor transported for bona fide
private consumption or for sale at any place at which the sale of such
liquor is duly licensed or permitted under the provisions of this Act, such
permits shall be dispensed with, unless 3[ the Government ] shall by
notification otherwise direct with respect to any local area.

9 Permits for transport. – Permits for the transport of liquor or

intoxicating drugs may be issued by the 3[Commissioner] or by any person
duly empowered in that behalf by him.

General and special permit. - Such permits shall be either general

for definite periods and kinds of liquor
or intoxicating drugs, or special for
specified occasions and particular
consignments only.

1. Second para to section 6 deleted vide Act IX of 1961.

2. See footnote 4 under section 1.
3. Substituted vide Act XIV of 1969 for the words substituted vide Act VIII of 1956.
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 8

10 Particulars to be given in permits: - Each permit shall specify :-

(a) the name of the person authorized to transport liquor or

intoxicating drugs,
(b) the period for which the permit is to be in force,
(c) the quantity and description of liquor or intoxicating drugs for
which it is granted,
(d) any other particulars which 1[ the Government ] may prescribe.

General permits shall be granted only to persons licensed under

this Act and shall cover any quantity of liquor or intoxicating
drugs transported at any one time within the quantity specified in
the permit.
Permits shall extend to and include servants and other persons
employed by the grantees and acting in their behalf.

IV. MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION AND SALE .

11. Manufacture of liquor or intoxicating drug prohibited except

under the provisions of this Act. – No liquor, or n
i toxicating drug
shall be manufactured;

no hemp 1[ or coca ] or poppy plant shall be cultivated; 1[nor shall

the spontaneous growth of the hemp plant be collected ];

no distillery, or brewery, or other place for the manufacture of liquor

of any kind shall be constructed or worked ; and

no person shall use, keep or have in his possession any material,

still, utensil implement or apparatus whatsoever for the purpose of
manufacturing any liquor, or intoxicating drug, except under the
authority and subject to the terms and conditions of a license
granted by the 2[ Commissioner ] in that behalf. :

1. See footnote 4 under section 1.

2. Inserted vide Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan 1983.
3. Substituted vide Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”
4. See footnote 4 under section 1.
5. Substituted vide Act X of 2010 for “the Jammu and Kashmir Government
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 9

Provided that 1[the Government] may by notification, direct that in

any local area it shall not be necessary to take out a licence for the
manufacture of liquor for bona fide home consumption or for the
growth of the poppy or hemp plant or the manufacture of opium for
sale to vendors licensed for the sale, manufacture or export of
intoxicating drugs:

Provided also that it shall be competent to 1[ the Government ] at

any time to restrict or prohibit the manufacture, possession or sale
of any kind of liquor or intoxicating drugs in any local area of the
territories of 2[ the State].

*“11-A. License for export, import, sale or possession of molasses.

– (1) No person shall export, import, transport, sell or possess a ny quantity
of molasses without a license in accordance with sub-section (2) of this
section.

(2) The State Government may, by order, authorise Excise Commissioner

or any other officer subordinate to him to grant licence(s) for the export,
import, transportation, sale or possession of molasses.”
5
[12. Possession of liquor or intoxicating drugs in excess of
quantity prescribed by the Government prohibited. – No person
shall possess any quantity of liquor or of any intoxicating drug in excess of
such quantity (if any) as the 1[ Government ] may from time to time
prescribe by notification unless he is licensed by the 2[ Commissioner ] to
collect, cultivate, manufacture or sell the same or holds a pass from
the 2[ Commissioner ] in that behalf ].

1
[12- A] possession of un-used and printed labels, corks, capsules,
seals by certain persons - No person shall have in his possession :-

(a) any unused and printed label, cork, capsule or seal, duly
approved by the Commissioner, under this Act or under any rule
or order made there -under for use by a person licenced to
establish or work in a distillery or brewery, or
(b) any other label, cork, capsule or seal which is an imitation of
such unused and printed label, cork capsule seal as specified in
clause (a) ; Provided that nothing herein shall apply to:-

1. See footnote 4 under section.-1.

2. Substituted vide Act X of 2010 for “the Jammu and Kashmir Government”
3. Substituted vide Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”
4. The J&K Taxation Laws (amendment) Act, 1999. Act No. XI of 1999.
5. Section 12 as mentioned by Amending Act of 1970 substituted vide Notification N. 14
published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
 The J&K Excise Act Samvat, 1958 10

(i) a person licensed to establish, or work in a distillery or brewery or

who is incharge of the Jammu and Kashmir Excise Department
Warehouse at Jammu or Srinagar, or
(ii) a person who, in the execution of an order received from a
person specified in sub-clause (i) manufactures or prints such
labels, corks, capsules or seals.

13. Establishment of distilleries and ware-houses.- The

Commissioner may with the previous approval of the Government :-

a) establish or license the establishment and running of a

warehouse wherein intoxicants may be deposited and kept
without payment of duty ;
b) discontinue any warehouse so established or licensed ;
c) establish or license the establishment of a distillery or a brewery
for manufacture of liquor or beer, as the case may be ; and
d) discontinue any distillery or brewery so established or licensed.

(2) No intoxicant shall be removed from any distillery or brewery or

warehouse established or licensed under this Act unless the duty, if any,
payable under this Act has been paid in respect thereof.

[14] Sales of liquor or intoxicating drugs without license

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prohibited. – No liquor or intoxicating drug shall be sold without a

license from the Commissioner;

Provided that:-

a) a person licensed under section 11 of this Act to cultivate the

hemp plant may sell without a license those portions of the plant
from which any intoxicating drug can be manufactured to any
person who deals in the same and is licensed under this Act or
to any officer whom the Commissioner may appoint in this
behalf;
b) nothing in this section shall apply to the sale of any foreign liquor
lawfully procured by any person for his private use and sold by
him or on his behalf or on behalf of his representatives in interest
upon his quitting a station or after his demise.

1. Section 12-A inserted by Act XX of 1978.

2. Section 13 substituted by Act XXV of 1972.
3. Section 14 substituted by Act XX of 1978.

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1
[14-A] Regulation of the sale of liquor in the State – (1) Not withstanding
anything to the contrary contained in any other law, rule, order, agreement or
any other instrument or any order, judgement or decree of any court, the
government shall regulate the sale of country liquor in the State * “by
auctioning or operating departmental vends,” the country liquor shops on such
conditions and for such period as it may deem fit ;

Provided that the departmental shops existing for the sale of country
liquor at the time of first auction shall continue to run at such places and for
such period as may be specified by the Government by a special or general
order.

(2) Any agreement or instrument executed, any letter of intent or order issued
by the Government relating to manufacturing, bottling or sale of country liquor
before the commencement of the Jammu and Kashmir Excise (Amendment)
Ordinance, 1985 (II of 1985) shall be and shall always be deemed to have
been without effect.

15. Exclusive privileges of manufacture, etc. may be g ranted. – It

shall be lawful for 2 [the Government] to grant to any person or
persons, on such conditions and for such period as may seem fit the
exclusive or other privilege,--

(1) of manufacturing or supplying by wholesale, or

(2) of selling by retail, or
(3) of manufacturing or supplying by wholesale and selling by retail

any country liquor or intoxicating drug within any local area.

No grantee of any privilege under this section shall exercise the same until he
has received a license in that behalf from the 3[Commissioner].

1. Section 14-A inserted by V of 1987.

2. See footnote 4 under section 1
3. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation
Commissioner”.
* The J&K Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1999. Act No.XI of 1999
 11
V- DUTIES

16. Duty on liquor or intoxicating drugs.- A duty shall, if 1[the Government] so

direct, be levied on all liquor and intoxicating drugs manufactured in the
territories of the State 2[or imported into or exported from the state 3[ X X X] of
such amount as the Government may from time to time prescribed;

Provided that it shall be lawful for 1[the Government] to exempt any liquor
or intoxicating drug from any duty to which the same may be liable under any of
the provisions of this Act.

17. How duty may be imposed.- Such duty may be levied in one or more of the
following ways :-

(a) by duty of excise shall be charged, in the case of spirits or beer, either
on the quantity produced in the distillery or brewery or passed out of the
distillery, brewery or warehouse 2[or imported into or exported from the
State] as the case may be ;
(b) in the case of intoxicating drugs, by a duty to be rateably charged on
the quantity produced or manufactured or passed out of the warehouse
or on the acreage cultivated;
(c) by payment of a sum in consideration of the grant of any exclusive or
other privilege –
(1) of manufacturing or supplying by wholesale, or
(2) of selling by retail, or
(3) of manufacturing or supplying by wholesale, and selling by
retail any country liquor or intoxicating drug in any local area and
for any specified period of time;
(d) by fees on licenses for manufacture or sale,
(e) by transport duties assessed, in such manner as 1[the Government]
may direct,
4( f ) by duty on bottling of liquor.

18. Duties may be farmed.- All or any of the duties leviable under this Act in any
local area may, with the sanction of 1[the Government], be framed subject to such
payment and on such other conditions as 1[the Government ] shall prescribe.
Farmers of duties under this section shall take out licenses as such from the
5
[Commissioner].

19. Farmer may let or assign.- In the absence of any contract or condition to the
contrary, any grantee of any exclusive or other privilege may let or assign the whole
or any portion of the privilege or farm. But no such lessee or assignee shall exercise
any rights as such unless and until the grantee or farmer, as the case may be, shall
have applied to the 5[Commissioner] for a license to be given to such lessee or
assignee and such lessee or assignee shall have received the same.

1. See footnote 4 under section 1.

2. Substit uted by Act XV of 1987.
3. Words “on State account” omitted by Act XLV of 2011.
4. Clause (f) added by Act XIII of 1959.
5. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner.”
 12
VI LICENCES ETC.

20. Forms and conditions of licenses, etc. – (1) Every licence or permit granted
under this Act shall be granted-

(a) on payment of such fees (if any),

(b) for such period
(c) subject to such restrictions and on such conditions, and
(d) shall be in such form and contain such particulars as 1[the Government]
may direct, either generally or in any particular instance, in this behalf.

2
[ (2) The Government may, by order, delegate all or any of its powers under sub-section (1)
to the 3[Commissioner] subject to such conditions, if any, as be specified in the order.]

21. Counterpart agreements to be executed by licensees. – Every person taking

out a licence under this Act may be required to execute a counterpart agreement in
conformity with the tenor of his licence and to give such security for the
performance of his agreement as the 3[Commissioner] may require.

22. Power to recall licences. – The 3[Commissioner] may cancel or suspend any
licence or permit granted under this Act-

(a) if any fee or duty payable by the holder thereof be not duly paid ;or
(b) in the eve nt of any breach by the holder of such licence or permit, or by
his servants, or by any one acting with his express or implied permission
on his behalf, of any of the terms or conditions of such licence or permit ;
or
(c) if the holder thereof is convicted of any offence against this Act or any
other law for the time being in force relating to the excise revenue, or of
any cognizable or non-bailable offence ; or
(d) where a licence or permit has been granted on the application of the
holder of an exclusive or other privilege, or of a farmer of duties under
this Act, on the requisition in writing of such person ; or
* (e) if the conditions of the licence or permit provide for such cancelment or
suspension “at will ; or”
* (f) “if the holder of the licence or permit resorts to illegal transportation of
liquor from the distillery.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. See foot-note 4 under section 1.
2. Sub-section (2) inserted by Act V of 2001.
3. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Excise & Taxation Commissioner’.
* The Jammu & Kashmir Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1999. Act No. XI of
1999.
 13

VII - GENERAL PROVISIONS.

23. Certain licensees required to keep instruments for testing etc. – Every
person who manufactures liquor or sells country liquor under a license granted
under this Act shall be bound :-

(a) to supply himself with such of the prescribed instruments for testing the
strength of such liquor as the 1[Commissioner] may direct and to keep
the same in good condition, and,
(b) on the requisition of any officer of the 1[Excise Department] duly
empowered in that behalf, at any time to measure out or to test the
strength of any such liquor in his possession in such manner as the said
officer may require.

24. Recovery of duties, etc. – All duties, taxes, fines and fees payable to the State
direct under any of the foregoing provisions of this Act or of any licence or permit
issued under it, and all amounts due to the State by any grantee of a privilege, or
by any farmer under this Act, or by any person on account of any contract relating
to the Excise revenue, may be recovered from the person primarily liable to pay
the same or from his surety (if any), as if they were arrears of land revenue, and, in
case of default made by a grantee of a privilege or by a farmer, the
1
[Commissioner] 2[with the approval of the Government] may take the grant or
farm under management at the risk of the defaulter, or may declare the grant or
farm forfeited and resell it at the risk and loss of the defaulter. When a grant or
farm is under management under this section, the 1[Commissioner] may recover
any monies due to the defaulter by any lessee or assignee as if they were arrears of
land revenue.

3
[24-A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if any tax or other amount due under
this Act is not paid by the licensee or other person, from whom it is due within the time
specified for the payment therefore or within a period of three months from the date of
demand whichever is earlier, the licensee or other person from whom the tax or other amount
is due shall be liable to pay in addition to the tax or amount due, a sum equal to 2% of such
tax or amount for each month or part thereof after the period specified for its payment.]

4
[24-B. Any amount of duty, tax, fine or fee paid by any person which was not payable under
this Act shall be refunded to such person along with interest for the period of default at the
rate of 2% per month :

Provided that if such amount has been recovered by the said person from any other
person then such other person only shall be entitled to refund :

Provided further that if any amount has been refunded to a person who is not
entitled to it, it shall be recovered from him as arrears of land revenue.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966.
2. Words inserted by Notification No. 15 dated 14th December, 1922 published in
Government Gazette dated 11th Poh, 1979, but in these words
“Government” Substituted for “Minister-in-charge” vide Act X of 1996.
3. Section 24-A inserted by Act XIV of 1974.
4. Section 24-B inserted by Act XIX of 1981.
 14

25. Powers to frame rules. 1[The Government] may from time to time frame rules-

(a) for determining the number of licenses of each description to be granted in

any district or place ;
(b) for regulating the number, size and description of stills, utensils,
implements and apparatus to be used in any distillery ;
(c) prescribing the instruments to be used in the testing of liquor and the
tables of corrections according to temperature to be used therewith ;
*[(cc) prescribing of procedure for regulating the vending of country
liquor through auction.]
(d) prescribing the measures to be used for the sale of country liquor ;
2
[(dd) prescribing the type and description of bottling liquor and
regulating other conditions relating thereto].
(e) fixing for any local area the 3[maximum or] minimum price 3[above or]
below which any 4[country liquor or opium] shall not be sold ;
(f) for the warehousing of liquor and intoxicating drugs and for the removal of
the same from any warehouse in which they are deposited for deposit in
any other warehouse or for local consumption or for export ;
(g) for the inspection and supervision of stills, distilleries, private warehouse
and breweries ;
(h) for the management of any public distillery or public warehouses
established under section 13 ;
(i) for placing the growth of the poppy or hemp plant and the preparation of
intoxicating drugs and the storage, import, export, possession or transport
of liquor or intoxicating drugs under such supervision and control as may be
deemed necessary for the purpose of this Act ;
(j) prohibiting the use of any article which 1[the Government] shall deem to
be noxious or otherwise objectionable in the manufacture of liquor or any
intoxicating drugs ;
(k) for the grant of batta to witnesses summoned before Magistrate or
5
[Deputy Commissioner] under this Act ;
(l) regulating the powers of the officers of the 5[Excise Department ] to
summon witnesses ;
6
[(ll) prescribing and limiting the powers and duties of Excise and
Taxation Officers and regulating the delegation of duties to and by such
Officers] ;
(m) for the disposal of the articles confiscated and of the proceeds thereof ;
(n) for the grant of rewards to 7[Excise and Taxation Officers] and other
persons who have assisted in the detection or conviction of offences against
this Act ;
(o) generally to carry out the provisions of this Act or of any other law for the
time being in force and relating to the Excise revenue.

1. See footnote 4 under section 1.

2. Clause (dd) inserted by Act No. XIII of 1969.
3. Inserted vide order published in Government Gazette dated 10th Jeth, 1978.
4. Substituted vide Act VIII of 1956 for “country liquors”.
5. Substituted vide Act XIV of 1966.
6. Clause (11) added vide Act VIII of 1956.
7. Substituted vide Act of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officers”.
* Clause (cc) added by Act V of 1987.
 15

VIII - POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS, ETC.

26. Magistrate or Dy. Commissioner may issue a search warrant on

application. – If any Magistrate or 1[Deputy Commissioner] upon information
given by an officer of the 1[Excise Department] or by a Police Officer or ot her
person, and after such enquiry as he thinks necessary, has reason to believe that
an offence under this Act has been committed and that the issue of a warrant is
necessary to assist in its detection, he may issue a warrant for the search for any
liquor, or intoxicating drug, materials, still, utensil, implements or apparatus in
respect of which the alleged offence has been committed.

27. Powers to certain officers to search houses, etc. without warrant. –

2
[When any revenue Officer not below the rank of a Naib -Tehsildar or a Police
Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector or any officer of the 1[Excise
Department] not below the rank of Inspector in any locality to which this Act
applies] has reasons to believe that an offence under this Act has been committed,
and that if steps are taken to obtain a search warrant under the last preceding
section, it is likely to go undetected, he may, after recording his reasons and the
grounds of his belief, at any time by day or night, enter and search any place and
may seize anything found therein which he has reason to believe to be liable to
confiscation under this Act and may detain and search and, if he thinks proper
arrest any person found in such place whom he has reason to believe to be guilty of
any offence under this Act,

28. Power to enter and inspect places of manufacture and sale. –* 3[Any officer
of the Excise Department not below the rank of Inspector or any other officer as
may be empowered by the Government] may enter and inspect at any time by day
or by night, any place in which any licenced manufacturer carries on the
manufacture of any liquor or intoxicating drugs or stores any liquor or intoxicating
drug ; and may enter and inspect, at any time during which the same may be open,
any place in which any liquor or intoxicating drug is kept for sale by any licensed
person, and may examine, test, measure or weigh any materials, stills, utensils,
implements, apparatus, liquor or intoxicating drug found in such place.

29. In case of resistance, entry may be made by force, etc. – If any officer
empowered to make any entry under the provisions of the last two preceding
sections cannot otherwise make such entry, it shall be lawful for him to break open
any outer or inner door or window and to remove any other obstacle to his entry
into any such place.

1.Substituted by Act XIV of 1966.

2.Substituted for certain words by Act IV of 2009.(For earlier amendment see
Acts III and X of 2008.)
3. Substituted for the Wazir Wazarat of any district by notification published in
Government Gazette dated 26th Phagan 1976.
* The Jammu & Kashmir Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1999. Act No. XI of
1999.

16
 1
[30 Offenders may be arrested and contraband liquor and articles seized,
without warrant.-(1) Any 2[Excise and Taxation Officer], any Police Officer not
below the rank of 3[Head Constable] and any other person 4[or class of persons]
duly empowered by the Government in this behalf may arrest without warrant any
person found committing an offence punishable under 5[section 48, section 50 or
section 50-A] and may seize and detain any liquor, drug or other article which he
has reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act or any other such
law and may detain and search any person upon whom and any vessel, raft, boat,
vehicle, animal, package, receptacle or covering in or upon which, he may have
reasonable cause to suspect any such liquor or drug or other such article to be or to
be concealed.]

6
[(2) Any person other than an 2[Excise and Taxation officer] lawfully arresting a person
shall immediately take him along with liquor, drug or other article so seized or detained before
the nearest 7[Inspector Excise and Taxation] who shall at once take charge of the accused
and the articles so seized or detained. The time taken in bringing the accused to the
7
[Inspector Excise and Taxation], shall not be included in the period of twenty-four hours
prescribed by section 37. The 7[Inspector Excise and Taxation] on taking charge of the
accused shall hold such enquiry as he may think necessary :

Provided that the 8[Deputy Commissioner] may of his own motion or on the
application of the accused transfer the case for enquiry to any other officer not below the
rank of an Inspector under him and such officer shall be deemed to have arrested the
accused and shall proceed in the aforesaid manner.

(3) (i) Every 2[Excise and Taxation officer] making an enquiry as aforesaid shall
day by day enter his proceedings in the enquiry in a diary, setting forth the
time at which the information reached him, the time at which he began and
closed his enquiry, the place or places visited by him and a statement of
the circumstances ascertained through his enquiry.

(ii) Any Criminal Court may send for such diaries of a case during the course of
an enquiry or trial in such Court, and may use such diaries, not as evidence
in the Court but to aid in such enquiry or trial. Neither the accused nor his
agents shall be entitled to call for such diaries, nor shall he or they be
entitled to see them merely because they are referred to by the Court, but
if they are used by the Excise Officer who made them to refresh his
memory, or if the Court uses them for the purpose of contradicting such
Excise Officer, the provisions of the Evidence Act, contained in section 161,
or section 145, as the case may be, shall apply].

9
[(4) The Government may by a general or special notification, invest any police officer-in-
charge of a police station or attached to it, not below the rank of a sub-inspector with powers
exercisable by an Excise Inspector under the Excise Act].
1. Existing section 30 numbered as sub-section (1) by Act IV of 2009. (For
earlier amendment see Act VIII of 1997.)
2. Substituted vide Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.
3. Substituted vide Act IV of 2009 for “Sub-Inspector”.
4. Added vide Act XI of 2003.
5. Substituted vide Act IV of 2009 for “section 48 or section 50”.
6. Sub-Section (2) and (3) inserted vide Act IV of 2009.
7. Substituted vide Act VIII of 1956 for “Inspector Customs and Excise”.
8. Substituted vide Act XIV of 1966 for “Deputy Excise and Taxation
Commissioner”.
9. Sub-Section (4) inserted by XXXI of 1956.
17
 31. Arrest of persons refusing to give name or giving false name.-Any person
who may be accused or reasonably suspected of committing an offence under this
Act, and who on demand of 1[Excise and Taxation officer] or of any other person
duly empowered, refuses to give his name or residence, or who gives a name or
residence which such officer or person has reason to believe to be false, may be
arrested by such officer or person in order that his name and residence may be
ascertained.

2
[32. Searches how to be made. :- All searches under the provisions of this Act shall
be made in accordance with the Criminal Procedure code, 1989 :

Provided that, for the purposes of conducting searches under this Act for the words,
“inhabitants of the locality in which the place to be searched is situate” occuring in section
103 of the said code, the words “respectable persons” shall be deemed to have been
substituted.]

33. Officers of Police and Revenue Departments and all village headmen and
Chaukidars bound to assist :- All officers of the Police and Revenue
Departments and all village headmen and chaukidars shall be legally bound to assist
any 1[Excise and Taxation Officer] in carrying out the provisions of this Act.

34. All officers in State employ required to report offences against this Act. :-
Every officer employed by the State , other than an 1[Excise and Taxation Officer] ,
shall be bound to give immediate information to an 1[Excise and Taxation Officer] ,
and every 1[Excise and Taxation Officer] shall be bound to give immediate
information either to his immediate official superior or to a 3[Deputy Commissioner]
of all breaches of any of the provisions of this Act which may come to his
knowledge ; and all such officers shall be bound to take all reasonable measure in
their power to prevent the commission of any such breaches which they may know
or have reason to believe or about or likely to be committed.

35. Land-holders and others to give information. :- All zamindars, proprietors,

tenants , under-tenants and cultivators, who own or hold land on which there shall
be manufacture of liquor , growth of the poppy or hemp plant or manufacture of
intoxicating drugs not licensed under this Act or in accordance with its conditions
shall, in the absence of reasonable excuse, be bound to give notice of the same to a
Magistrate or to an 1[Excise and Taxation Officer] immediately the same shall have
come to their knowledge.

4
[(35-A) power to seize, destroy etc. poppy and hemp plant:-
(1) Where any Excise and Taxation Officer has reason to believe that poppy or
hemp plant is unlawfully grown or cultivated, he or any other officer
authorised by the Government in this behalf, shall seize, confiscate and
destroy such plant in the presence of a Judicial Magistrate.
(2) Any action taken under sub-section (1) shall not protect the person
cultivating or growing poppy or hemp plant, from being prosecuted under
the provisions of this Act.]

1. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Customs and Excise Officer’.

2. Section 32 substituted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
3. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Deputy Excise and Taxation
Commissioner’.
4. Section 35-A inserted by Act XXIV of 1976.

18
1
[36. Arrested persons to be taken before a Magistrate.:- An 2[Excise and
Taxation Officer] arresting a person under this Act, or who has taken charge of the
accused under sub-section (2) of section 30, shall without unnecessary delay and
subject to the provisions herein-after contained as to bail, take the person arrested
before a 3[ Judicial Magistrate] having jurisdiction to try the case.

37. Period of detention not to exceed twenty-four hours. :- An 2[Excise and

Taxation Officer] arresting a person under this Act, or who has taken charge of the
accused under sub-section (2) of section 30, shall not detain him in custody for a
longer period than, under all the circumstances of the case, is reasonable and
subject to the provisions of section 30 such period shall not in the absence of a
special order of a Magistrate passed under section 40 exceed twenty-four hours
exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the
Magistrate’s Court.

4
[38. Certain offences to be non-bailable and triable summarily.- notwithstanding
anything contained in 5[X X X] the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989-

(i) the offences specified in clauses (b), (d) and (e) of section 48 shall be non-
bailable, and
(ii) 6[(ii) the offences specified in sections 48,49,50,50-A, 50-B and 55 and sub-
section (1) of section 56 shall be triable summarily.]

39. Bail.- The provisions contained in chapter XXX of the code of Criminal Procedure,
1989, regarding bail so far as they are applicable, shall apply mutatis mutandis in
respect of persons arrested or detained or brought before a court under the
provisions of this Act, subject to the modification that for the expression “officer in
charge of a Police Station” wherever occurring the expression “an 2[Excise and
Taxation Officer] not below the rank of an Inspector” shall be deemed to have
been substituted.

40 Procedure where enquiry cannot be completed in 24 hours. – (1) Whenever

any person is arrested under this Act and detained in custody and it appears that an
enquiry into the offence of which such person is accused cannot be completed
within the period of twenty-four hours prescribed by section 37, the 7[Deputy
commissioner] or the officer making the enquiry, as prescribed in sub-section (2) of
section 30, shall forward to the nearest Magistrate a report setting forth the
circumstances in which the accused was arrested together with the information
which is yet to be elicited and shall at the same time forward the accused to such
Magistrate.

1. Section 36 to 46 substituted by Act IV of 2009.

V. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Customs and Excise Officer’.
VI. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for ‘Magistrate’.
VII.Section 38 substituted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
VIII.Omitted and shall always be deemed to have been omitted by Act XI of 1964.
IX.Clause (ii) of section 38 substituted by Act VIII of 1961.
X.Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner’.

19
 (2) Remand. – The Magistrate to whom an accused person is forwarded under
sub-section (1) may, whether he has or has not jurisdiction to try the case, from
time to time, authorise the detention of the accused in such custody as such
Magistrate thinks fit, for a term not exceeding fifteen days on the whole. If he has
not ju risdiction to try the case and considers further detention unnecessary he
may order the accused to be forwarded to a Magistrate having such jurisdiction :
provided that no Magistrate other than a Magistrate of the first class shall
authorise detention in any custody other than a judicial look-up.
(3) A magistrate authorising under this section detention in any custody other
than a judicial look-up shall record his reasons for so doing.

41. Arrest of persons suspected of offences under this Act. – (1) A 1[Deputy
Commissioner] on such enquiry as he thinks fit and after recording his reasons in
writing may arrest or order in writing the arrest of a person whom he has reason to
believe to have committed an offence under this Act and shall release him on bail
unless he is accused of an offence under clauses (b), (d) and (e) of section 48.

(2) If the person arrested is unable to furnish bail or if a person has been
arrested on an accusation of an offence under clauses (b), (d) and (e) of section
48, the person arrested shall be dealt with as provided heretofore with respect to
persons arrested under section 30.

42. Excise and Taxation Officer’s power to require attendance of witnesses. –

An 2[Excise and Taxation Officer] empowered to hold an enquiry into an offence
under this Act, may by order in writing require the attendance before himself of any
person, who appears to be acquainted with the circumstances of the case or to
produce any document relevant thereto and such person shall attend or produce as
so required provided that person who from sickness or other infirmity may be
unable to attend or who is a pardhanashin lady or is otherwise exempted from
appearance in Court shall not be bound to attend at any place other than the
residence of such person.

43. Examination of witness by Excise and Taxation Officer. :-

(1) An 2[Excise and Taxation Officer] holding any enquiry under this Act may
examine orally any person supposed to be acquainted with the facts and the
circumstances of the case.

(2) Such person shall answer all questions relating to such case put to him by
such officer other than questions the answers to which would have a tendency to
expose him to a criminal charge or to a penalty or forfeiture.

(3) Such answers shall be reduced into writing and shall after being read over
to the person making the same be signed by such officer.

44. Release of accused when evidence deficient. :- If on enquiry under this Act it
appears to the officer holding the enquiry, that there is not sufficient evidence or
reasonable ground to justify the forwarding of the accused to a Magistrate, such
officer shall, if such person is in custody, release him on his executing a bond with or
without sureties as such officer may direct to appear if and when so required , before
a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the case.
1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Deputy Excise and Taxation
Commissioner’.
2. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Customs and Excise Officer’.
 20
45. Case to be sent to Magistrate when evidence is sufficient.:-

(1)(a) If upon an enquiry under this Act it appears to the 1[Deputy Commissioner] or the
officer holding the enquiry that there is sufficient evidence such officer shall forward the
accused under custody to a 2[Judical Magistrate] competent to try the case or if the offence
is bailable and the accused is able to give security, shall take security from him for his
appearance before such 2[Judicial Magistrate] on a day fixed and for his attendance from day
to day before such 2[Judicial Magistrate] until otherwise directed and shall also forward to
such 2[judicial Magistrate] a report setting forth the names of the parties, the nature of the
information, the names of the persons who appear to be acquainted with the circumstances of
the case and stating whether the accused (if arrested) has been forwarded in custody or has
been released on his bond and if so with or without sureties.

(b) Such 2[Judicial Magistrate] shall take on such report cognizance of the
offence charged.

(c) The accused on his application shall be entitled at his own cost to a copy of
such report before the commencement of the trial.

(1) Nothing herein contained shall have the effect of debarring a 2[Judicial
Magistrate] from taking cognizance otherwise than on such a report i.e. in
accordance with the pro visions of S.190 Criminal Procedure code:

Provided that such 2[Judicial Magistrate] shall not take cognizance of an

offence under the Excise Act, 1958, on complaints made by private individuals.

(2) When such officer as aforesaid forwards an accused perso n to a 2[Judicial

Magistrate] or takes security for his appearance before such 2[Judicial Magistrate]
under this section, he shall send to such 2[Judicial Magistrate] any article seized
which it may be necessary to produce before him and shall require the
complainant (if any) and so many of the persons who appear to such officer to be
acquainted with the circumstances of the case as he may think necessary, to
execute bond to appear before the 2[Judicial Magistrate] as thereby directed and
prosecute or give evidence (as the case may be) in the matter of the charge
against the accused.

(3) If the Court of the 3[Chief Judicial Magistrate] is mentioned in the bond,
such Court shall be deemed to include any Court to which such 2[Judicial
Magistrate] may refer the case for trial provided reasonable notice of such
reference is given to such persons.

(4) The day fixed for the appearance of such persons shall be the day when an
accused person is to appear, if security for his appearance has been taken or the
day on which he may be expected to arrive at the Court of the 2[Judicial
Magistrate] if he is to be forwarded in custody.

1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Deputy Excise and Taxation

Commissioner’.
2. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for ‘Magistrate’.
3. Substituted by ibid for ‘District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate’.
 21

1
[46. All liquor or other contraband articles seized under this Act shall be
produced before the nearest Magistrate without any delay who shall seal
those articles making an inventory thereof. Where, however, this cannot be done
without unreasonable inconvenience, delay or expense, the officer making enquiry
on the spot or seizing the goods shall seal all such articles in the presence of atleast
two respectable witnesses. The articles so seized shall remain in the custody of the
officer seizing them pending orders of a Magistrate.]

47. Closing of shop for the sake of public peace.:- It shall be lawful for the
2
[Deputy Commissioners of the District] to which this Act applies, by notice in
writing to the licensee, to require that any shop in which liquor or any intoxicating
drug is sold, shall be closed, at such time or for such period as he may think
necessary for the preservation of the public peace.

1. Section 46 substituted by Act XXXV of 1962.

2. Substituted by Act III of 2008 for ‘ Governor of Province’.
 22
IX- PENALTIES
1
[48. For illegal import , etc.:- Whoever , in contravention of this Act or of any rule or
order prescribed or notified thereunder or of any licence or permit granted
thereunder :-
(a) imports, exports, transports or possesses liquor or * “any intoxicating drug or molasses, or”
(b) manufactures liquor or any intoxicating drug, or
(c) cultivates the poppy or hemp (cannabis sativa or Indica) or coco plant or collects the
spontaneous growth of the hemp plant, or
(d) constructs or works any distillery or brewery or other place for the
manufacture of liquor, or
(e) uses, keeps or has in his possession any materials, still, utensil,
implement or apparatus whatsoever, for the purpose of manufacturing liquor or any
intoxicating drug, or
2
[(f) sells or offers to sell any liquor or 3[intoxicating] drug], 4[shall on conviction before a
Judicial Magistrate, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three
years and with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees :
Provided that if the offence relate to possession of :-
(i) a working still for the manufacture of liquor or any intoxicating drug, such
imprisonment shall not be less than six months and such fine shall not be less than two
thousand rupees ;
(ii) Lahan, such imprisonment shall not be less than six months and such fine
shall not be less than one thousand rupees;
(iii) Country liquor, manufactured otherwise than in distilleries or warehouses
established or licensed under this Act, in a quantity not exceeding ten bottles, each bottle
containing 750 mililitres, such fine shall not be less than five hundred rupees and in a quantity
exceeding ten bottles of the aforesaid capacity , such imprisonment shall not be less than six
months and such fine shall not be less than two thousand rupees ;
(iv) foreign liquor other than the liquor :-
(a) manufactured in licensed distilleries or breweries in India, or
(b) imported into India on which customs duty is leviable under the
Indian Tariff Act, 1934 or the Customs Act, 1962.
such imprisonment shall not be less than three months and such fine shall not be less than
two thousand rupees.]
5
[ 48-A. Penalty for rendering or attempting to render denatured / methylated spirit fit for
human consumption- whoever renders or attempts to render fit for human consumption any
denatured / methylated spirit, whether manufactured in India or not , or has in his
possession any spirit rendered fit for human consumption in respect of which he knows or has
reason to believe that any such attempt has been made, shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with fine which may extend to
one thousand rupees.
48-B. Penalty for possession of unused and printed labels, corks , etc :- Whoever in
contravention of the provisions of section 12-A of this Act has in his possession may printed
labels, corks , capsules or seal or an imitation thereof , shall be punished with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which may extend to one thousand
rupees.]
1. Section 48 substituted by notification No.14 published in Government Gazette dated
17th Phagan 1983.
2. Clause (f) substituted by Act IV of 2009.
3. Substituted by Act IX of 1961
4. Substituted by Act XIX of 1981.
5. 48-A, 48-B inserted by Act XX of 1978.
* The Jammu & Kashmir Taxation Laws (amendment) Act, 1999 Act No. XI of
1999.
 23
49. For misconduct by licensee, etc. :- Whoever, being the holder of a licence or
permit granted under this Act,-

(a) fails to produce such licence or permit on the demand of any 1[Excise and
Taxation Officer] or of any other officer duly empowered to make such
demand, or
(b) does any act in breach of the conditions of his licence or permit not
otherwise provided for by this Act, or
2
[(c) wilfully commits any contravention not otherwise provided for by this Act,
or any rule or order prescribed or notified under this Act, or]
3
(d) Omitted.
(e) permits persons of notoriously bad character to meet or remain in any such
place, shall, on conviction before a 4[Judicial Magistrate], be punished for
each such offence, with fine which may extend to * “three thousand rupees
but not less than one thousand rupees” or with imprisonment which may
extend to 5[six months] or with both.

50. For possession of illicit liquor.- (1) Whoever, without lawfull authority, has in his
possession any quantity of liquor or any intoxicating drug, knowing the same to
have been unlawfully imported, transported, or manufactured, or knowing the
prescribed duty not to have been paid therefor, shall on conviction before a
4
[Judicial Magistrate], be punished 6[with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to *“two years but not less than three months” or with fine, which may
extend to “ten thousand rupees but not less than five thousand rupees” or with
both]

7
[(2) If any person is found in possession, in any Tehsil, town or city in which a licensee
cannot sell to any person any liquor for consumption outside the premises of his place of
business except in standard sealed bottles, of any liquor which has been unlawfully
manufactured it shall be presumed that such person knew that it had been so manufactured].

8
[50-A. Persons found drinking in public or any place of worship etc. Penalty.- Any person
found drinking or attempting to drink liquor in any public place or place of worship or in any
place which is used for the purpose of transacting any business other than a premises
covered by a license shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 5[six months]
or with fine which may extend to 5[one thousand rupees] or with both.

1. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Customs and Excise officer’

2. Clause (c) of section 49 substitutd by Notification No. 14 published in
Government Gazette dated 17 th Phagan, 1983.
3. Clause (d) omitted by Act XXXIX of 1956
4. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for ‘magistrate’
5. Substituted by Act XX of 1978.
6. Substituted by Act XXXIX of 1956
7. Existing section 50 numbered as sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) inserted
by Act IV of 2009.
8. Section 50-A added by Act iv of 2009.
* The Jammu & Kashmir Taxation Laws (amendment) Act, 1999 Act No. XI of
1999.
 24
1
[50-B. If any licensed vendor or any person in his employ or acting on his behalf-
(a) sells or delivers any liquor or intoxicating drug to any person apparently
under the age of twenty-one years ; or

(b) employs or permits to be employed on any part of his licensed premises

any man under the age of twenty-one years or any woman ; or

(c) sells any intoxicant to a person who is drunk or intoxicated ;or

(d) permits drunkenness, intoxication, disorderly conduct or gaming on the

licensed premises of such licensed vendor ; or

(e) permits any person whom he knows or has reason to believe to have been
convicted of any non-bailable offence under this Act to frequent his
licensed premises whether for the purposes of crime or not,

he shall, in addition to any other penalty to which he may be liable, be

punishable with a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

When any licensed vendor or any person in his employ or acting

on his behalf is charged with permitting drunkenness or intoxication on the
licensed premises of such vendor, and it is proved that any person was
drunk or intoxicated on such premises, it shall lie on the person charged to
prove that the licensed vendor or the person employed by him or acting on
his behalf took all reasonable steps for preventing drunkenness or
intoxication on such premises.]

2
[50 –C. Destruction of unfit liquor or beer. - The Commissioner may order
destruction of liquor or beer rendered unfit for human consumption because of its having got
sedimented or for any other reason. The destruction of such stocks shall be done in such
manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.]

51 For vexatious search or arrest.- Any 3[Excise and Taxation Officer] or other
person who, without reasonable ground of suspicion, enters or searches, or causes
to be searched, any closed place, or vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes the
property of any person on the pretence of seizing or searching for anything liable to
confiscation under this Act,

or vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches, or arrests any person,

or in any other way vaxatiously exceeds his lawful powers,

shall, on conviction before a 4[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class, be

punished for each such offence with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees,
or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with both.

1. Inserted by Act XXXIX of 1956.

2. Section 50-C inserted by Act XXV of 1972
3. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Custom and Excise Officer’
4. Substituted by Act XI of 1966 ‘Magistrate’
 25

52. For vaxatious delay.- Any officer or person exercising powers under this Act, who
vaxatiously and unnecessarily delays forwarding to a 1[Deputy Commissioner] any
person arrested or any article seized under this Act, shall on conviction before a
2
[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class, be punished with fine which may extend to
one hundred rupees.

53. For abetment or escape of person arrested, etc.- Any officer or person who
unlawfully releases or abets the escape of any person arrested under this Act,
3
[XXX] 4[or receives or retains any liquor or intoxicating drug in resp ect of which an
offence has been committed, knowing or having reason to believe that such offence
has been committed] or acts in any manner inconsistent with his duty for the
purpose of enabling any person to do anything whereby any of the provisions of
this Act may be evaded or broken or the Excise revenue may be defrauded, shall,
on conviction before a 2[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class, for every such offence
be punished with fine which may extend to 5[one thousand] rupees or with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6[one year]’ or with both.

54. For Excise and Taxation Officer using violence.- Any 7[Excise and Taxation
Officer] who shall offer any unwarrantable violence to any person in his custody
shall, on conviction before a 2[Judicial Magistrate] of the class, be punished with
fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with imprisonment which may
extend to one month, or with both.

8
[55. Screening offender or giving false information.- Whoever knowing or having
reason to believe that an offence has been committed under this Act, causes any
evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the intention of
screening the offender from legal punishment or with that intention gives any
information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false, shall be
punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term
which may extend to a fourth part of the longest period of imprisonment provided
for the offence, or with fine, or both.]

Note :-A fine imposed under this section may extend to the full amount for the
original offence.

56. For offences not other-wise provided for.- (1) Whoever is guilty of any act or
intentional omission in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or of any
rule or order made under this Act and not otherwise provided for in this Act, shall
on conviction before a 2[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class, be punished for each
such willful act or omission with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.

1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Deputy Excise and Taxation

Commissioner’.
2. Substituted by Act XI of 1966 ‘Magistrate’
3. Words omitted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
4. Inserted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th
Phagan, 1983
5. Substituted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated
17th Phagan, 1983
6. Substituted by ibid for ‘six months’
7. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Customs and Excise officer’.
8. Section 55added by council resolution dated 27th Nov, 1903 published in
Gove rnment Gazette dated 18th Phagan 1960. Existing section 55 was
numbered as 56 and sections after that were also renumbered.
 26

1
[ For subsequent offence double punishment.- (2) Whoever having been previously convicted
of an offence under this Act is again convicted of an offence punishable under this Act shall
be liable for every such subsequent offence to punishment not exceeding double the
punishment provided therefor by this Act.]

2
[56-A. Attempt to commit offences punishable under this Act.- Whoever attempts to commit
or abets any offence punishable under this Act shall be liable to punishment provided for the
offence.

56.B. Security for abstaining from commission of certain offences. - (1) Whenever any person
is convicted of an offence punishable under section 48 or 50 of this Act and Court convicting
him is of the opinion that it is necessary to require such person to execute a bond for
abstaining from the commission of offences punishable under these sections, the Court may,
at the time of passing sentence on such person, order him to execute a bond for a sum
proportionate to his means, with or without sureties, for abstaining from the commission of
such offences during such period not exceeding two years, as it thinks fit to fix.

(2) The bond shall be in the form contained in schedule II of the Code of
Criminal procedure, 1989. The provisions of the said Code shall in so far as they
are applicable, apply to all matters connected with such bond as if it were a bond
to keep the peace ordered to be executed under section 106 of the said Code.
(3) If the conviction is set aside on appeal, or in revision, the bond so executed
shall become void.
(4) An order under this section may also be made by an appellate court or by
the High Court when exercising its powers of revision.]

57. Presumption as to commission of offence in certain cases.:- In prosecutions

under section 48, it shall be presumed , until the contrary is proved, that the
accused person has committed an offence under that section in respect of any
liquor or intoxicating drug, or any still, utensil , implement, or apparatus whatsoever
for the manufacture of liquor, or any intoxicating drug, or any such materials as are
ordinary used in the manufacture of liquor, or any intoxicating drug, for the
possession of which he is unable to account satisfactorily; and the holder of a
licence or permit under this Act shall be punishable, as well as the actual offender,
for any offence committed by any person in his employ and acting on his behalf
under any of the previous sections of this Act as if he had himself committed the
same, unless he shall establish that all due and reasonable precautions were
exercised by him to prevent the commission of such offence:
Provided that no person, other than the actual offender, shall be
punished with imprisonment except in default of payment of fine.

1. Section 56 (2) added by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette

dated 17 th Phagan, 1983.
2. Section 56-A and 56-B inserted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
 27

58 What things are liable to confiscation.:- In any case in which an offence has
been committed under this Act, * “the liquor including molasses”, drug, materials,
still, utensil, implement or apparatus in respect of which an offence has been
committed shall be liable to confiscation.
Any *“liquor including molasses,” or intoxicating drug lawfully imported,
exported, transported, manufactured, had in possession or sold along with, or in
addition to, any *“liquor including molasses” or intoxicating drug liable to
confiscation under this section, and
The receptacles, packages and coverings in which any * “such liquor
including molasses”, or intoxicating drug, materials, still, utensil, implement or
apparatus as aforesaid is or are found, and the other contents, if any, of the
receptacles or packages in which the same is or are found , and the animals, carts,
boats or other conveyances used in carrying the same, shall likewise be liable to
confiscation.

59. Confiscation how ordered . :- Whenever confiscation is authorised by this Act,

the 1[Deputy Commissioner] or Magistrate ordering it may give the owner of thing
liable to be confiscated an option to pay in lieu of confiscation such fine as such
officer thinks fit.
When an offence under this Act has been committed but the offender is
not known or cannot be found, or when anything liable to confiscation under this
Act and not in the possession of any person cannot be satisfactorily accounted for ,
the case shall be inquired into and determined by the 1[Commissioner] or by any
other officer authorised by him in that behalf who may order such confiscation :
Provided that no such order shall be made until the expiration of one month
from the date of seizing the things int ended to be confiscated or without hearing
the persons, if any, claiming any right thereto, and evidence, if any, which they
produce in support of their claims.

*“60. Power to compound offences. – (1) A Deputy Commissioner may accept from
any person whose licence or permit is liable to be cancelled or suspended under
section 22 or who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under
section 49 or section 50-A or section 56, a sum of money not exceeding ten
thousand rupees but not less than two thousand rupees, in lieu of such cancelment
or suspension, or by way of compensation for the offence which may have been
committed, as the case may be ; and in all cases whatsoever in which any property
has been seized as liable to confiscation under this Act may release the same on
payment of the value thereof as estimated by him :

Provided that in respect of offence committed under section 11-A, the

Deputy Commissioner may accept a sum of money not exceeding ten thousand
rupees but not less than two thousand rupees by way of composition of the offence
which may have been committed.

(2) On the payment of such sum of money, or such value, or both, as the case
may be, the accused person, if in custody, shall be discharged, the property
seized shall be realesed and no further proceedings shall be taken against such
person or property.”

1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1956.

* The Jammu & Kashmir Taxation Laws (amendment) Act, 1999 Act No. XI of 1999.
 28

61. Provisions of the Criminal procedure code and Ranbir penal code
applicable to offences committed under this Act.:- (1) The provisions of the
Criminal procedure code relating to execution so far as the same are applicable, and
sections 54,55 and 56 of Ranbir penal code shall apply to all offences committed
and to all persons punished under the provisions of this Act.

1
[(2) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the code of Criminal Procedure, 1989 all
processes, summonses, warrants issued in cases under this Act may be executed by an
2
[Excise and Taxation Officer.]

(b) A warrant directed to any 2[Excise and Taxation Officer] may also be
executed by any such officer whose name is endorsed upon the warrant by
the officer to whom it is directed or endorsed.]

1. Existing section 61 numbered as sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) inserted

by Act IV of 2009.
2. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for ‘Customs and Excise Officer’.
 29
X - MISCELLANEOUS
62. Publication of rules and notifications.:-All rules made and notifications issued
under this Act, shall be 1[published in the Jammu and Kashmir Government
Gazette] and shall thereupon have the force of law and be read as part of this Act,
and may, in like manner , be varied, suspended or annulled.

2
[63. Exemptions and prohibitions. :- (a) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this
Act applies to the manufacture, possession, sale or supply by medical practitioners,
chemists, druggists, apothecaries or keepers of dispensaries of any medicated
article for bona fide medicinal purposes, or to the possession by the public of such
articles lawfully supplied by them ; but

(b) it shall be lawful for 3[the Government] at any time by notification to

prohibit the import, export, transport, manufacture, possession, sale or
supply whether for medicinal purposes or otherwise of any liquor or
intoxicating drug otherwise than in accordance with such rules and
conditions (if any) as may be prescribed by 3[the Government] in that
behalf ;
(c) it shall be lawful for 3[the Government] at any time by notification to
exempt subject to such conditions, if any, as 3[the Government] may
impose, any specified article or class of articles or any specified person or
class of persons from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act
or of rules made or prohibitions notified there under and in like manner to
cancel such exemption ;
(d) it shall also be lawful for 3[the Government] to authorize the
4
[Commissioner] to permit, subject to such restrictions and conditions as,
5
[the said [Commissioner] may in each case or class of cases prescribe, the
possession by medical practitioners of liquor or 6[opium and hemp drugs]
and the preparation by them of medicines containing the same for use in
their practice.]

64. Bar on actions.- No action shall lie against 3[the Government] or against any
7
[Excise and Taxation Officer] for damages in any Civil Court for any act bona fide
done or ordered to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any law for the time being
in force relating to the Excise revenue and prosecutions of any 7[Excise and
Taxation Officer], and all actions which may be lawfully brought against the Jammu
and Kashmir Government or against any 7[Excise and Taxation Officer] in respect of
any thing done or alleged to have been done in pursuance of this Act, sh all be
instituted within six months from the date of the act complained of and one month
after notice has been given in writing to 3[the Government] or to the officer against
whom the suit is to be brought.

In such actions for damages, it shall be lawful for the Court if tender of
sufficient amount had been made before the action was brought, in awarding the
amount so tendered, to refuse costs to the plaintiff and direct him to pay the costs of
the defendant.

1 Substituted by Act IV of 2001 for the words ‘made and issue by publication in
three successive issue of the Jammu and Kashmir Gazette’.
2 Section 63 substituted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette
dated 17th Phagan 1983.
3 See foot-note 4 under section 1.
4 Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for ‘Excise and Taxation Commissioner’
5 Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for the ‘the said Inspector General’.
6 Substituted for ‘Intoxicating drugs’ by order published in Govt. Gazette dated
1st Assuj’ 1988.
7 Substituted by Act VIII of 1966 for ‘Customs and Excise Officer’.