Jammu and Kashmir act 009 of 1901 : The JAMMU AND KASHMIR EXCISE ACT, SAMVAT 1958 (1901 A.D.)

Department
  • Department of Finance
Ministry
  • Ministry of Andaman and Nicobar Administration
Enforcement Date

4 Dec 1901

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Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Jammu and Kashmir Excise Act, 1958.

(2) It extends to the 3[whole of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir].
(3) It shall come into force in any local area within the said territories to such extent and from such date as the 4[ Government of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] by notification shall direct.


3. Substituted for “whole of the territories of the State” ibid. (For earlier amendment see Act X of Samvat 2010).
4. Construed for “Government” ibid. (For earlier amendment see Act X of Samvat 1996).

Section 2.Repeal 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in any local area, the enactments, rules and regulations governing the Excise revenue at present in force shall be repealed :

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 proceeding commenced, or any claim which has arisen, or any penalty which has been incurred before this Act comes into force.


Section 3.Interpretation.

In this Act, unless there be something repugnant in the subject or context, ––

(1) “Excise revenue” means revenue derived or derivable from any duty, fee, tax, fine or confiscation imposed or 1[ordered or the penalty imposed consequent upon breach of any agreement, under] the provisions of this Act or of any other law for the time being in force relating to liquor or intoxicating drugs.
2[(2) 3[(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.
4[(2-a) “Denatured/Methylated Spirit” means spirit effectually and permanently rendered unfit for human consumption].
5[(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].
6(4) Omitted.
(5) Beer includes ale, stout, porter, cider and all other fermented liquors usually made from malt.
7(6) Omitted.
7(7) Omitted.
8[(8) “Opium” means—
(i) the capsules of the poppy (papaver somniferum L), whether in their original from 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)].
9[(9) “Intoxicating drug” includes 10[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”].
11[ x x x x ].
12[X X X]
(10) “Sale or selling” includes any transfer otherwise than by way of gift.
13[(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.]
(11) “Import” means to bring into the 14[territory of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] from 15[any other part of India].
(12) “Export” means to take out of the 14[territory of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] to 15[any other part of India].
(13) “Transport” means to move from one place to another within the 14[territory of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir].
(14) “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 re-distillation and every process for the rectification of liquor.
(15) “Rectification” includes every process whereby spirits are purified or are coloured or flavoured by mixing any material therewith.
16(16) Omitted.
17(17) “Imprisonment” includes both simple and rigorous.
18(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 19[Government of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] may, by notification in the 20[Official Gazette], declare not to be molasses for the purpose of this Act.]


* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
** Now Official Gazette.
1. Substituted by Act IX of 2010 for the words “ordered under”, s. 2.
2. Clause (2) substituted by Act VIII of 1956.
3. Sub-clauses (a) and (b) substituted by Act XIV of 1966.
4. Clause (2-a) inserted by Act XX of 1978.
5. Clause (3) substituted by Act VIII of 1956.
6. Clause (4) omitted ibid.
7. Clauses (6) and (7) omitted Act VIII of 1956.
8. Clause (8) substituted by Act IX of 1961.
9. Clause (9) substituted by Notification No. 14 of Samvat 1983.
10. Word “opium” inserted by Act IX of 1961.
11. Deleted ibid.
12. Second paragraph deleted ibid.
13. Clause (10-a) inserted by Notification No. 14 of Samvat 1983.
14. Substituted for “State territory” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
15. Substituted by Act XIII of 1969.
16. Clause (16) omitted by Act XL of 1966.
17. Clause (17) inserted by Council Resolution dated 27th November, 1903 published in the Government Gazette dated 18th Phagan, 1960.
18. Clause (18) inserted by Act XI of 1999, s. 4, w. e. f. 29.2.2000.
19. Substituted for “State Government” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
20. Substituted for “Government Gazette” ibid.

Section 3-A.Country liquor and foreign liquor.

1[3-A. “Country liquid” and “foreign liquid”.––The Government may by notification in the Government Gazette declare what, to be “country liquor” and “foreign liquor”].


1. Section 3-A inserted by Act VIII of 1956.

Section 5.Appointment, suspension and dismissal of Chowkidars.
Section 4.Appointment of Excise and Taxation Officer.

1[4. Appointment of Excise and Taxation Officer. ––2[[(1)] The *Government may appoint such officers as it thinks fit to be 3[Commissioner, 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.]

4[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) the *Government may appoint any person as Joint Commissioner Enforcement to exercise powers under the provisions of the Act as it may, by notification, in the **[Government Gazette] specify and also appoint such other persons to assist him as it deems fit].


* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
** Now “Official Gazette”.
1. Section 4 substituted by Act VIII of 1956.
2. Renumbered as sub-section (1) of section 4 by Act III of 1998, s. 8.
3. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966.
4. Sub-section (2) inserted by Act III of 1998, s. 8.

Section 4-A.Delegation of power conferred by section 4.

2[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.

(2) Every person appointed in exercise of such delegated power may be suspended or dismissed by the officer who appointed him.]


2. Section 4-A inserted by Act XIV of 1966.
* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Section 4-B.Superintendence and control of the Excise Administrator and Excise officers.

3[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 general 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.


* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
3. Sections 4-B, 4-C and 4-D inserted by Act XIX of 1981, s. 34.

Section 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.


Section 4-D.Revision and review

(1) The Commissioner may, suo moto, at anytime or on 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 of any order made therein and may pass such orders in relation thereto as he may deem fit :

Provided that the application shall be made within a period of ninety days of the date of taking of the proceeding 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.]


Section 5. Import of liquor and intoxicating drugs.

1[5. Import of liquor and intoxicating drugs.––No liquor or intoxicating drugs shall be imported into the 2[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] 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.
2. Substituted by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020 for “State”. However, repetition of words “Jammu and Kashmir” has been removed by the Editor.
*Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Section 6.Export of liquor or intoxicating drugs.

No liquor or intoxicating drug shall be exported unless it has been lawfully imported or manufactured in the 1[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir], 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.

2[x x x].


1. Substituted for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
2. Second para to section 6 omitted by Act IX of 1961.

Section 7. Transport of liquor or intoxicating drugs may be prohibited.

3[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.


* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
* * Now “Official Gazette”.
3. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.

Section 8. And must be covered by a permit.

No liquor or intoxicating drug exceeding such quantity as 3[the *Government] may from time to time prescribe by notification, either generally for the whole 1[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] 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 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 the *Government shall by notification otherwise direct with respect to any local area.


* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.
1. Substituted for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
3. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.

Section 9.Permits for transport.

Permits for the transport of liquor or intoxicating drugs may be issued by the 4[Commissioner] or by any person duly empowered in that behalf by him.

General and special permits.––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.


4. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”. (For earlier amendment see Act VIII of 1956.)

Section 10.Particulars to be given in permits

Each permit shall specify:––

(a) the name of the person authorised to transport liquor or intoxicating drugs,
(b) the period for which the permits 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 1the *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.


1. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Section 11.Manufacture of liquor or intoxicating drugs prohibited except under the provisions of this Act.
Section 11-A.Licence for export, import, sale or possession of molasses.

3[11-A. Licence for export, import, sale or possession of molasses.––(1) No person shall export, import, transport, sell or possess any quantity of molasses without a licence in accordance with sub-section (2) of this section.

(2) The 4[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.]


3. Section 11-A inserted by Act XI of 1999, s. 5, w. e. f. 29-2-2000.
4. Substituted for “State Government” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.

Section 12.Possession of liquor or intoxicating drugs in excess of the quantity prescribed by the Government prohibited.

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 6[*Government] may from time to time prescribe by notification unless he is licensed by the Commissioner to collect, cultivate, manufacture or sell the same or holds a pass from 7[the Commissioner] in that behalf].


5. Section 12 substituted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
6. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
7. Substituted for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner” by Act XIV of 1966.
* Now “Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Section 12-A.Possession of unused and printed labels corks, capsules, seals by certain persons.

1[12-A. Possession of unused 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 thereunder for use by a person licensed 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 or seal as specified in clause (a) :
Provided that nothing herein shall apply to: ––
(i) a person licensed to establish or work in a distillery or brewery or who is incharge of the Jammu and Kashmir Excise Department Ware-house 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.]


1. Section 12-A inserted by Act XX of 1978, s. 3.

Section 13.Establishment of distilleries and warehouses.

1[13. Establishment of distilleries and warehouses.––(1) 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.]


1. Section 13 substituted by Act XXV of 1972, s. 2.

Section 14. Sale of liquor or intoxicating drugs without licence prohibited.

1[14. Sales of liquor or intoxicating drugs without licence prohibited.–– No liquor or intoxicating drug shall be sold without a licence from the Commissioner :

Provided that,––
(a) a person licensed under section 11 of this Act to cultivate the hemp plant may sell without a licence 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 14 substituted by Act XX of 1978, s. 2.

Section 14-A.Regulation of the sale of liquor in the State.

3[14-A. Regulation of the sale of liquor in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.––(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law, rule, order, agreement or any other instrument or any order, judgment or decree of any Court the Government shall regulate the sale of country liquor in the 1[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] 2[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.]


1. Substituted for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
2. Substituted for the words “by auctioning” by Act XI of 1999, s. 6.
3. Section 14-A inserted by Act V of 1987, s. 2.

Section 15.Exclusive privilege of manufacture, etc. may be granted.

It shall be lawful for 1[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 licence in that behalf form the 2[Commissioner.]


1. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
2. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 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 2[in the territories of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir or imported into or exported from the Union territory] 3[x x x] of such amount as the Government may from time to time prescribe :

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.


1. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
2. Substituted for certain words by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
3. Words “on State account” omitted by Act XLV of Samvat 2011.

Section 16-A.Approval to the label.

1[16-A. Approval to the label. ––No liquor, whether manufactured in the 2[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] or imported, shall be purchased, stored or sold in the 2[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] unless the label of such brand is approved by the Commissioner subject to such conditions as may be laid down by him and on payment of such fee as the Government may, by notification in the 3[Official Gazette, specify from time to time.]


1. Section 16-A inserted by Act III of 2000, s. 2.
2. Substituted for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
3. Substituted ibid for “Government Gazette”.

Section 17.How duty may be imposed.

Such duty may be levied in one or more of the following ways:

(a) by duty of excise to 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 1[or imported into or exported from the 2[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir],] 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 licences for manufacture or sale ;
(e) by transport duties assessed in such manner as 3[the Government] may direct ;
4[(f) by duty on bottling of liquor.]


1. Word substituted by Act XV of 1987, s. 3.
2. Substituted for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
3. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
4. Clause (f) added by Act XIII of 1959.

Section 18.Duties may be framed.

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 the Government shall prescribe. Farmers of duties under this section shall take out licences as such from the 2[Commissioner.]


1. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
2. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 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 form. 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 1[Commissioner] for a licence to be given to such lessee or assignee, and such lessee or assignee shall have received the same.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 20.Forms and conditions of licences, 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 2[the Government] may direct, either generally or in any particular instance, in this behalf.
3[(2) The Government may, by order, delegate all or any of its powers under sub-section (1) to the 1[Commissioner] subject to such conditions, if any, as be specified in the order].


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.
2. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
3. Sub-section (2) inserted by Act V of Samvat 2001.

Section 21.Counterpart agreement 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 1[Commissioner] may require.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 22.Power to recall licences.

The 1[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 event 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 concealment or suspension 2[at will ; or]
3[(f) if the holder of the licence or permit resorts to illegal transportation of liquor from the distillery.]


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.
2. Substituted for the words “at will” by Act XI of 1999, s. 7, w. e. f. 29-2-2000.
3. Clause (f) inserted ibid.

Section 23. Certain licensees required to keep instruments for testing etc.

Every person who manufactures liquor or sells country liquor under a licence granted under this Act shall be bound––

v(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 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.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 24.Recovery of duties, etc.

All duties, taxes, fines and fees payable to the 1[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] 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 1[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] 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 2[Commissioner] 3[with the approval of the 4[Government]] may take the grant or farm under management at the risk of the defaulter, or may declare the grant or farm forfeited re-sell it at the risk and loss of the defaulter. When a grant or farm is under management under this section, the 2[Commissioner] may recover any monies due to the defaulter by any lessee or assignee as if they were arrears of land revenue.


1. Substituted for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
2. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.
3. Words inserted by Notification No. 15 dated 14th December, 1922.
4. Substituted for “Minister-in-charge” by Act X of Samvat 1996.

Section 24-A.If any tax or other amount due is not paid consequences thereof.

2[24-A. If any tax or other amount due is not paid, consequences thereof.–– 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 therefor 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.]


2. Section 24-A inserted by Act XIV of 1974, s. 16.

Section 24-B.Refund of duty etc.

3[24-B. Refund of duty etc.––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.]


3. Section 24-B inserted by Act XIX of 1981, s. 35.

Section 25. Power to frame rules.

5[The Government] may from time to time frame rules––

(a) for determining the number of licences 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 ;
9[(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 ;
1[(dd) prescribing the type and description of bottling liquor and regulating other conditions relating thereto] ;
(e) fixing for any local area 2[the maximum or] minimum price 2[above or] below which 3[4[any 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 warehouses and breweries ;
(h) for the management of any public distillery or public warehouse 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 5[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 6[Deputy Commissioner] under this Act ;
(1) regulating the powers of the officers of the Excise Department to summon witnesses ;
7[(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 8[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. Clause (dd) inserted by Act XIII of 1969.
2. Inserted by order published in Government Gazette dated 10th Jeth, 1978.
3. Substituted for the words “country liquors” by Act VIII of 1956.
4. Substituted for “country liquor” by Act XV of 2006, s. 2.
5. Substituted for “His Highness the Maharaja Bahadur” by Act X of Samvat 1996.
6. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966.
7. Clause (ll) added by Act VIII of 1956.
8. Substituted for “Customs and Excise Officers” by Act VIII of 1956.
9. Clause (cc) inserted by Act V of 1987, s. 3.

Section 26.Magistrate or Deputy 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 other person, and after such inquiry 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, implement or apparatus in respect of which the alleged offence has been committed.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966.

Section 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.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966.
2. Substituted for certain words by Act IV of Samvat 2009. (For earlier amendments see Acts III and X of Samvat 2008).

Section 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 licensed 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.


3. Substituted for certain words by Act XI of 1999, s. 8, w. e. f. 29.2.2000.

Section 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 in to any such place.


Section 30. Offenders may be arrested and contraband liquor and articles seized, without warrant.

1[(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 punished 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 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 renumbered as sub-section (1) by Act IV of Samvat 2009.
2. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.
3. Substituted by Act IV of Samvat 2009 for “Sub-Inspector”.
4. Words added by Act XI of Samvat 2003.
5. Substituted by Act IV of Samvat 2009 for “section 48 of section 50”.
6. Sub-sections (2) and (3) inserted ibid.
7. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Inspector Customs and Excise”.
8. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.
9. Sub-section (4) inserted by Act XXXI of 1956.

Section 31.Arrest of person 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 2[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. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer.”

Section 32.Searches how to be made.

3[32. Searches how to be made.––All searches under the provisions of this Act shall be made in accordance with the 4[Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (2 of 1974) :

5[x x x x]


3. Section 32 substituted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
4. Substituted for “Criminal Procedure Code, 1989” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
5. Proviso omitted ibid.

Section 33.Officers of Police and Revenue Departments and all village Headmen and Chowkidars bound to assist.

All officers of the Police and Revenue Departments and all village headmen and Choukidars shall be legally bound to assist any 2[Excise and Taxation Officer] in carrying out the provisions of this Act


2. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer.”

Section 34.All officers in State employ required to report offences against this Act.

Every officer employed by the 1[Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] other than an 2[Excise and Taxation Officer,] shall be bound to give immediate information to an 2[Excise and Taxation Officer], and every 2[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.


1. Substituted ibid for “State” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
2. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer.”
3. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 35.Landholders 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.


1. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.

Section 35-A.Power to seize, destroy etc. poppy and hemp plant.

2[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 3[Judicial Magistrate or an Executive 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.]


2. Section 35-A inserted by Act XXIV of 1976, s. 2.
3. Substituted for “Judicial Magistrate” by Act IX of 2010, s. 3.

Section 36.Arrested persons to be taken before a Magistrate.

2[36. Arrested persons to be taken before a Magistrate.––An 1[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 hereinafter contained as to bail, take the person arrested before a 3[Judicial Magistrate] having jurisdiction to try the case.


1. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.
2. Sections 36 to 46 substituted by Act IV of Samvat 2009.
3. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for “Magistrate”.

Section 37. Period of detention not to exceed twenty-four hours.

An 1[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.


1. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.

Section 38.Certain offences to be non-bailable and triable summarily.

1[38. Certain offences to be non-bailable and triable summarily.–– Notwithstanding anything contained in 2[x x x x] the 3[Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (2 of 1974)]— (i) the offences specified in clauses (b), (d) and (e) of 4[section 48 and subsection (1) of section (50)] shall be non-bailable, and5[(ii) the offences specified in sections 48, 49, 50, 50-A, 50-B and 55 and subsection (1) of section 56 shall be triable summarily.]


1. Section 38 substituted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
2. Omitted and shall always be deemed to have been omitted by Act XI of 1964.
3. Substituted by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
4. Substituted by Act VII of 2001, s. 2.
5. Clause (ii) substituted by Act VIII of 1956

Section 39.Bail.

The provisions contained in 6[Chapter XXXIII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)], 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 7[Excise and Taxation Officer] not below the rank of an Inspector” shall be deemed to have been substituted.


6. Substituted by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
7. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.

Section 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 1[Deputy Commissioner] or the officer making the enquiry, as prescribed in subsection (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.

(2) The Magistrate to whom an accused person is forwarded under subsection (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 jurisdiction to try the case and considers further detention un-necessary 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 lock-up.
(3) A Magistrate authorising under this section detention in any custody other than a judicial lock-up shall record his reasons for so doing.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 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 2[section 48 or sub-section (1) of section (50)].

(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 2[section 48 or sub-section (1) of section 50], the person arrested shall be dealt with as provided heretofore with respect to persons arrested under section 30.


1. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner”. 2. Substituted by Act VII of 2001, s. 3.

Section 42. Excise and Taxation officers power to require attendance of witnesses.

An 3[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 documents relevant thereto and such person shall attend or produce as so required ; provided that a 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.


3. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.

Section 43.Examination of witness by Excise and Taxation Officer.

(1) An 3[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.


3. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.

Section 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.


Section 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[judicial 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.
(2) Nothing herein contained shall have the effect of debarring of 1[Judicial Magistrate] from taking cognizance otherwise than on such a report i.e. in accordance with the provisions of section 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.
(3) When such Officer as aforesaid forwards an accused person 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 articles seized which it may be necessary to produce before him and shall require the complaint (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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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 ibid for “District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate.”

Section 46.Production of seized articles before Magistrate.

2[46. Production of seized articles before Magistrate.––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 at least two respectable witnesses. The articles so seized shall remain in the custody of the officer seizing them pending orders of a Magistrate.]


2. Section 46 substituted by Act XXXV of 1962.

Section 47.Closing of shop for the sake of public peace.

It shall be lawful for the 3[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.


3. Substituted by Act III of Samvat 2008 for “Governor of Province”.

Section 48. For illegal import, etc.

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 2[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
3[(f) sells or offers to sell any liquor or 4[intoxicating] drug,]
5[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 6[ten 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 7[five thousand rupees] ;
(ii) lahan, such imprisonment shall not be less than six months and such fine shall not be less than 8[three 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 millilitres, such fine shall not be less than 9[one thousand 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 10[four 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.


1. Section 48 substituted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
2. Substituted by Act XI of 1999, s. 9, w. e. f. 29-2-2000.
3. Clause (f) substituted by Act IV of Samvat 2009.
4. Substituted by Act IX of 1961.
5. Substituted by Act XIX of 1981, s. 37.
6. Substituted for “three thousand rupees” by Act IX of 2010, s. 4.
7. Substituted for “two thousand rupees” by Act IX of 2010, s. 4.
8. Substituted ibid for “one thousand rupees”.
9. Substituted ibid for “five hundred”.
10. Substituted for “two thousand rupees” ibid.

Section 48-A.Penalty for rendering or attempting to render denatured/methylated spirit fit for human consumption.

1[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 2[two years but shall not be less than one year and with fine which may extend to seven thousand rupees but shall not be less than three thousand rupees.]


1. Sections 48-A and 48-B inserted by Act XX of 1978, s. 5.
2. Substituted by Act XIII of 2002, s. 2.

Section 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 any printed label, cork, capsule or seal or an imitation thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2[one year but shall not be less than three months and with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees but shall not be less than one thousand rupees.]


2. Substituted by Act XIII of 2002, s. 3.

Section 49.For misconduct by licensee, etc.

Whoever, being the holder of a license or permit granted under this Act,––

(a) fails to produce such licence or permit on the demand of any 3[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
4[(c) wilfully commits any contravention not otherwise provided for by this Act, or any rule or order prescribed or notified under this Act, or]
5[(d) Omitted]
(e) permits persons of notoriously bad character to meet or remain in any such place,
6[(f) imports, exports, transports, possesses and manufactures any liquor without affixing the approved labels],
shall on conviction before 7[Judicial Magistrate] be punished for each such offence, 8[with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees but not less than five thousand rupees or with imprisonment which may extend to six months but not less than two months or with both].


3. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer.”
4. Clause (c) substituted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
5. Clause (d) omitted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
6. Clause (f) inserted by Act VII of 2001, s. 4.
7. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for “Magistrate”.
8. Substituted by Act VII of 2001, s. 4.

Section 50.For possession of illicit liquor.

1[2[(1) Whoever, without lawful authority, is found to be in possession of any quantity of liquor or any intoxicating drug which has been imported and/or transported and/or manufactured without authorisation and/or without the payment of prescribed duty therefor, shall on conviction before a Judicial Magistrate be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years but shall not be less than three years and with fine which may extend to ten times the duty involved but shall not be less than five times the said duty.]

3[(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.]


1. Existing section 50 re-numbered as sub-section (1) by Act IV of Samvat 2009.
2. Sub-section (1) of section 50 substituted Act VII of 2001, s. 5.
3. Sub-section (2) inserted by Act IV of Samvat 2009.

Section 50-A.Persons found drinking in public or any place of worship etc. Penalty.

4[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 places of worship or in any place which is used for the purpose of transacting any business other than a premises covered by a licence shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to 5[six months] or with fine which may extend to 6[three thousand rupees but not be less than one thousand rupees] or with both.


4. Section 50-A added by Act IV of Samvat 2009.
5. Substituted by Act XX of 1978, sections 6 and 7.
6. Substituted for “one thousand rupees” by Act XIII of 2002, s. 4.

Section 50-B.Penalty for licensed vendor etc.

1[50-B. Penalty for licensed vendor etc.––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) employees 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 2[two thousand rupees but shall not be less than one thousand 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.]


1. Section 50-B inserted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
2. Substituted for “five hundred rupees” by Act VII of 2001, s. 6.

Section 50-C.Destruction of unfit liquor or beer.

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.]


2. Section 50-C inserted by Act XXV of 1972, s. 3.

Section 51. For vexatious search or arrest.

Any 3[Excise and Taxation Officer] or other person who, without reason-able 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 vexatiously 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.


3. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Customs and Excise Officer”.
4. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for “Magistrate”.

Section 52.For vexatious delay.

Any officer or person exercising powers under this Act, who vexatiously and unnecessarily delays forwarding to a 5[Deputy Commissioner] any person arrested or any articles seized under this Act shall, on conviction before a 4[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class, be punished with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.


4. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for “Magistrate”.
5. Substituted by Act XIV of 1966 for “Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner”.

Section 53. For abetment of escape of persons arrested, etc.

Any officer or person who unlawfully releases or abets the escape of any person arrested under this Act, 1[x x x x] 2[or receives or retains any liquor or intoxicating drug in respect 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 3[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class for every such offence be punished with fine which may extend to 4[five thousand rupees] or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 5[one year], or with both.


1. Words omitted by Act XXXIX of 1956.
2. Inserted by Notification No. 14 published in Government Gazette dated 17th Phagan, 1983.
3. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for “Magistrate”.
4. Substituted by Act VII of 2001, s. 7.
5. Substituted by Notification 14 of Samvat 1983.

Section 54.For Excise and Taxation Officer using violence.

Any 1[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 first class, be punished with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with imprisonment which may extend to one month, or with both.


1. Substituted by Act VIII of 1956 for “Excise and Taxation Officer”.
2. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for “Magistrate”.

Section 55.Screening offender or giving false information.

1[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.


1. Section 55 inserted by Council Resolution dated 27th November, 1903 published in the Government Gazette dated 18th Phagan, 1960. (Existing sections 55 to 63 were re-numbered from 56 onwards).

Section 56.For offences not otherwise provided for. For subsequent offence double punishment.

(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 1[Judicial Magistrate] of the first class, be punished for each such wilful act or omission with fine which may extend to 2[five thousand] rupees.

3[(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.]


1. Substituted by Act XL of 1966 for Magistrate.
2. Substituted for two hundred rupees by Act VII of 2001, s. 8.
3. Sub-section (2) inserted by Notification No. 14 of Samvat 1983.

Section 56-A.Attempt to commit offences punishable under the Act.

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


2. Sections 56-A and 56-B inserted by Act XXXIX of 1956.

Section 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 the 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 3[Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (2 of 1974)]. 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].


3. Substituted by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.

Section 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 ordinarily 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.


Section 58.What things are liable to confiscation.

In any case in which an offence has been committed under this Act, the liquor, drug, materials, still, utensil, implement or apparatus in respect of which an offence has been committed shall be liable to confiscation.

Any liquor, or intoxicating drug lawfully imported, exported, transported, manufactured, had in possession or sold along with, or in addition to, 1[the liquor including molasses] or intoxicating drug liable to confiscation under this section, and
the receptacles, packages and coverings in which any such liquor, 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.


1. Substituted by Act XI of 1999 for “any liquor”, s. 12, w.e.f. 29-02-2000.

Section 59.Confiscation how ordered.

Whenever confiscation is authorised by this Act, the 2[Deputy Commissioner] or Magistrate ordering it may give the owner of the thing liable to be confiscated an option to pay in lieu of the 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 2[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 intended 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.


2. Substituted by Act XIV of 1956.

Section 60. Power to compound offences.

4[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 1[fifteen thousand rupees] but not less than 2[five thousand rupees], in lieu of such concealment 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 1[fifteen thousand rupees] but not less than 2[five thousand rupees] by way of composition of the offence which may have been committed :
3[Provided further that in respect of an offence under clause (f) of section 49 the Deputy Commissioner may accept a sum not exceeding fifteen thousand rupees but not less than ten thousand rupees by way of composition of the offence.]
(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 released and no further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property.]


1. Substituted for the words ten thousand rupees by Act IX of 2010, s. 5.
2. Substituted ibid for the words two thousand rupees.
3. Proviso added by Act VII of 2001, s. 9.
4. Section 60 substituted by Act XI of 1999, s. 13, w.e.f. 29-02-2000.

Section 61.Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code & Ranbir Penal Code applicable to offences committed under this Act.

4[(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 5[Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)] shall apply to all offences committed and to all persons punished under the provisions of this Act.

4[(2) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the 6[Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (2 of 1974)] all processes, summonses, warrants issued in cases under this Act may be executed by any 7[Excise and Taxation Officer].
(b) A warrant directed to any 7[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.]


4. Existing section 60 re-numbered as sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) inserted by Act IV of Svt. 2009.
5. Substituted for “Ranbir Penal Code” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
6. Substituted ibid. 7. Substituted for the words “Customs and Excise Officer” by Act VIII of 1956.

Section 62. Publication of rules & 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.


1. Substituted by Act IV of Samvat 2001 for the words “made and issued by publication in three successive issues of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Gazette.”

Section 63.Exemptions and prohibitions.

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 thereunder and in like manner to cancel such exemption ;
(d) it shall also be lawful for 3[the Government] to authorise the 4[Commissioner] to permit subject to such restrictions and conditions as 5[the said 4[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.]


2. Section 63 substituted by Notification No. 14 of Samvat 1983.
3. Substituted by Act X of Samvat 2010.
4. Substitutedfor the words Excise and Taxation Commissioner by Act XIV of 1966.
5. Substituted for the words the said Inspector General by Act VIII of 1956.
6. Substituted for the words intoxicating drugs by Order published in Govt. Gazette dated 1st Assuj, 1988.

Section 64.Bar of actions.

No action shall lie be against 3[the Government] or against any 2[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 2[Excise and Taxation Officer] and all actions which may be lawfully brought against the 1[Government of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir] or against any 2[Excise and Taxation Officer] in respect of anything done or alleged to have been done in pursuance of this Act, shall 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 for “Jammu and Kashmir Government” by S.O. 1229 (E) dated 31.03.2020.
2. Substituted for the words “Customs and Excise Officer” by Act VIII of 1956.
3. Substituted by Act X of Samvat 2010.

SECTIONS