Arrest for keeping '10ml' Liquor: Kerala Court Slams Police, Grants Bail

The Manjeri Sessions Court in Kerala on November 1, 2025, pulled up the police for arresting a barber accused of storing just 10 millilitres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in his shop.

Court said such an incident “has no place in the world’s greatest democracy” and “can happen only in a banana republic".

The order, passed by Sessions Judge K. Sanilkumar , granted bail to Dhanesh, a barber from Painkannur Post in Malappuram district, who had been arrested on October 25 under the Abkari Act for allegedly keeping the minuscule quantity of liquor for sale.

The case was registered at Valanchery Police Station, where the prosecution alleged that police recovered 10 millilitres of IMFL from Dhanesh’s barber shop located on the first floor of Achikulam Mini Mall in Valanchery town. He was booked under Section 55(a)(i) of the Abkari Act, which deals with possession or sale of liquor without licence.

During the hearing, the counsel representing Dhanesh argued that the case was nothing short of harassment, pointing out that individuals are legally permitted to possess up to three litres of IMFL for personal use.

The entire case is based on an atomic quantity of 10 millilitres, the counsel submitted, calling the prosecution motivated and excessive.

The Public Prosecutor conceded that only 10 millilitres were recovered, but pointed out that Dhanesh had previous cases under the Kerala Police Act and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). However, the court observed that these antecedents had little bearing on the current case.

In unusually sharp language, Judge Sanilkumar questioned the intent of the investigating officer, saying, “This court is inclined to suspect the real motives of the investigating officer in entwining the accused, who is presumably from a socially and economically disadvantaged section of society, in a grave crime".

The judge remarked that the situation was so absurd that the seized quantity could well have been used by the barber “as an aftershave to be applied on his customers,” adding that it was “beyond comprehension” how police could even take and process samples from such a negligible quantity.

He further noted that the accused had already spent seven days in judicial custody, calling the arrest and incarceration an example of misplaced zeal.

“Such an incident has no place in the world’s greatest democracy and can happen only in a banana republic,” the order stated, adding that higher police officials must take note and ensure officers are sensitized, particularly while dealing with poor and marginalized citizens.

Finding no justification to continue his detention, court granted Dhanesh bail on a bond of Rs. 10,000 with two solvent sureties. Court directed him not to tamper with evidence or contact witnesses, and warned that any violation of conditions could lead to cancellation of bail.

Case Title: Dhanesh vs State of Kerala

Order Date: November 1, 2025

Judge: Sessions Judge K. Sanilkumar