The Andhra Pradesh Prohibition Act, 1995.

THE ANDHRA PRADESH PROHIBITION ACT, 1995
ACT No. 17 OF 1995
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Sections
CHAPTER - I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement
2. Definitions
CHAPTER - II
ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTROL
3. Appointment of Commissioner
4. General control of Commissioner over Collectors
5. Officers and Staff
6. Delegation
CHAPTER - III
PROHIBITION AND PENALTIES
7. Prohibition of selling, buying and consumption of liquor
7-A.Prohibition of Production etc., of arrack
7-B. Prohibition of Boot Legging Activities
8. Punishment for buying, selling, consumption of liquors
8-A. Penalty for manufacture or storage of illicitly distilled alcoholic
liquor
8-B. Penalty for sale, export, import and transport of alcoholic liquor
manufactured illegally and clandestinely
8-C. Penalty for Conspiracy
9. Punishment for being found in a state of intoxication
10. Punishment for abetment of escape of persons arrested, etc.
11. Punishments for offences not otherwise provided for
11-A.Grant of bail
11-B.Compounding of Offences.
12. Things liable to confiscation
13. Confiscation of things by prohibition and  Excise Officers in
certain cases
13-A. Issue of show cause notice
13-B. Order of confiscation in the absence of offender.
13-C.Appeal
13-D. Order of confiscation not to interfere with other punishments
13-E. Bar of Jurisdiction
13-F.Property confiscated when to west in Government
14. Police to take charge of articles seized
CHAPTER - IV
EXEMPTIONS
15. Regulation of Liquor other than arrack
16. omitted
CHAPTER - V
DETECTION, INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF
OFFENCES
17. Issue of search Warrants
18. Powers of entry without search warrant
19. Power of entry and inspection
20. Power to use force in case of resistance to entry
21. Arrest of offenders and seizure of contraband liquor and articles
without warrant
22. Arrest of persons refusing to give name or giving false name
23. Arrest, search etc., how to be made
24. Power to Prohibition and Excise Officer in matters of
investigation
25. Cognizance  and trail of offences
25-A. Enhanced Punishment after previous conviction
26. Punishment for vexatious search or arrest
CHAPTER - VI
MISCELLANEOUS
27. Omitted
28. Duty of officials of all Departments and local bodies to assist
29. Offences to be reported, etc.,
30. Protection of action taken under this Act
31. Overriding effect
31-A.Power to remove difficulties
32. Savings
32-A. Transitional provision.
33. Power to make Rules
34. Amendment of Act 17 of 1968
35. Repeal of Act X of 1937 and Ordinance 19 of 1994
THE ANDHRA PRADESH PROHIBITION ACT, 1995
ACT No. 17 OF 1995
(20th February, 1995)
1[AN ACT TO INTRODUCE PROHIBITION OF THE MANUFACTURE, SALE
AND CONSUMPTION OF ARRACK AND REGULATION OF THE
MANUFACTURE, SALE AND CONSUMPTION OF OTHER INTOXICATING
LIQUORS IN THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH  AND FOR MATTERS
CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO:]
Whereas, article 47 of the Constitution of India enjoins that the State
shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for
medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drinks which are injurious to health;
2[AND WHEREAS, there is urgent need in public interest to bring about
the prohibition of the manufacture, sale and consumption of arrack and
regulation of the manufacture, sale and consumption of other intoxicating
liquors in the State of Andhra Pradesh;]
Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Andhra Pradesh
in the Forty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
CHAPTER - I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement –(1) This Act may be called the
Andhra Pradesh Prohibition Act, 1995.
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by
notification, appoint.
2. Definitions -In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
3[(1) ‘arrack’ means country liquor including arrack brewed, coloured,
flavoured or spiced.]
4 [(1A)]‘buy’or‘buying’includes any receipts including gift;
5[(1B) “Boot Legging Offence” means manufacturing, storing,
transporting, importing, exporting, selling of illicitly distilled alcoholic
liquor, intoxicating drug or other intoxicant, illegally or clandestinely
without a valid license in contravention of the provisions of the A.P
Excise Act, 1968.
Explanation: For the purpose of this clause “Boot Legging Offence”
shall also include knowingly or clandestinely supplying of any raw
materials, vessels, receptacles or any substance which is though not
expressly prohibited.]
(2) ‘Collector’means the Collector of a district and includes the
joint Collector or any person appointed by the Government to exercise
the powers and perform the functions of a Collector under this Act;
1. Substituted by Act No.5 of 1997, section 2.
2. Substituted by Act No.5 of 1997, section 3.
3. Clause inserted by Act No.5 of 1997, section 4.4. Clause renumbered by Act No.5 of 1997, section 4.5. The clause 1B was inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 2.
(3) ‘Commissioner’means the Commissioner of Prohibition and
Excise appointed under section 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act,
1968 (Act 17 of 1968);
(4) ‘foreign liquor’includes every liquor imported into India, other
than Indian Made Foreign Liquor;
(5) ‘Government’means the State Government;
(6) ‘Indian Liquor’means liquor produced, manufactured or
compounded in India after the manner of gin, brandy, whisky or rum
imported from foreign countries and includes ‘milk punch’ and other
liquors consisting of or containing any such spirits, but does not
include foreign liquor;
1 [(7) ‘liquor’includes,-
(a)  spirits of wine, denatured spirits, methylated spirits,
rectified spirits, wine, beer, toddy and every liquid consisting of
or containing alcohol; and
(b)  any other intoxicating substance which the Government
may, by notification, declare to be liquor for the purposes of
this Act;]
(8)   ‘local body’means any Municipal Corporation Municipality,
Notified Area, Gram Panchayat, Mandal Parishad, Zilla Parishad,
Township or a Cantonment constituted under the relevant law for the
time being in force;
(9)   ‘notification’means a notification published in the Andhra
Pradesh Gazette and the term ‘notified’ shall be construed
accordingly;
(10) ‘place’includes an open place, a house, club, shed, enclosure,
building, shop, tent, vessel, raft and vehicle;
(11) ‘police station’includes any place which the Government may,
by notification, declare to be a police station for the purpose of this
Act;
(12)  ‘prescribed’means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(13)  ‘Prohibition Officer’means the Commissioner, a Collector or
any Officer or other person to whom the Commissioner or the
Collector2[an Executive Megistrate] delegates his powers or functions
under section 6 3[and includes the Commissioner of Special
Enforcement Bureau or any other officer employed/posted in Special
Enforcement Bureau or invested with powers under the relevant
provisions of this Act];
(14)‘sale’or‘selling’includes any transfer including gift;
4[(14-A) ‘Special Enforcement Bureau’ means the Department of
Special Enforcement Bureau.]
5(15) [XXXX]
(16) words and expressions used in this Act but not defined shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Andhra Pradesh Excise
Act, 1968 (Act 17 of 1968).
CHAPTER - II
ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTROL
1. The clause 7 was substituted by the Act No. 5 of 1997, section 4.2. The words were inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 2.3. The words were inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 2.4. The clause 14-A was inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 2.5. The clause 15 was omitted by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 4.
3. Appointment of Commissioner - The Commissioner of Prohibition and
Excise for the State appointed under section 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Excise
Act, 1968 (Act 17 of 1968) shall, subject to the general or special orders of the
Government in this behalf, be, the Chief controlling authority in all matters
connected with the administration of this Act.
4. General control of Commissioner over Collectors - The Collector shall
exercise the powers and perform the functions assigned by or under this Act
subject to the general control of the Commissioner.
5. Officers and staff -The officers and staff referred to in section 5 of the
Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968(Act 17 of 1968) shall be deemed to be officers
and staff appointed also for the purposes of giving effect to this Act and for this
purpose it shall be competent for the Government to give such directions and
to make such rules as they may deem fit with regard to their powers and
functions.
6. Delegation  - For purposes of giving effect to this Act, the Commissioner,1[the Collector, the Assistant Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise] or the
Prohibition and Excise Superintendent may, by order, delegate to any officer
subordinate to him any of the powers conferred on or functions entrusted to
the Commissioner,1[the Collector or the Assistant Commissioner of Prohibition
and Excise] or the Prohibition and Excise Superintendent by or under this Act,
subject to such restrictions and control as may be prescribed, and subject all
of such limitations and conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order of
delegation.
CHAPTER-III
PROHIBITION AND PENALTIES
7. Prohibition of selling, buying and consumption of liquor  - The selling,
buying, being in possession and consumption of liquor, otherwise than in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, or as the case may be, the Andhra
Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (Act 17 of 1968) is hereby prohibited.
2[7A. Prohibition of Production etc., of arrack – The production,
manufacture, storage, possession, collection, purchase, sale and transport of
arrack is hereby prohibited.]
3[“7-B. Prohibition of Boot Legging Activities: The manufacturing,
transporting, setting, buying, importing, exporting or storing of any alcoholic
liquor and supplying or transporting of any raw materials for the manufacture
of alcoholic liquor illegally or clandestinely, otherwise than in accordance with
the provisions of the  A .P. Excise Act, 1968 is hereby prohibited.”]
8. Punishment for buying, selling consumption of liquors -Whoever,-
(a) 4[xxxx] consumes any liquor except5[in accordance with the
provisions of this Act or the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968], or the
terms of any rule, notification order, licence or permit issued
thereunder shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which
may extend upto six months or with fine which may extend upto one
thousand rupees or with both;
1. The words substituted by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 5.2. The section 7A inserted by the Act No. 5 of 1997, section 5.3. The section 7B inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 3.4. The words “buys, or” omitted by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 7.5. The words substituted by the Act No. 5 of 1997, section 6.
(b) 1[possesses, collects, buys,2[sells, transports,] produces or
manufactures any liquor other than arrack except in accordance with
the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968  (Act 17 of
1968) or the terms of any rule, notification, order, licence or permit
issued thereunder] shall be punished,-
3[(i) with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
six months but which may extend upto4[eight years] and with
fine which shall not be less than rupees two lakhs for the first
offence and which shall not be less than rupees five lakhs for the
second offence”;]
5[6[(ii)] where the commission of any offence either7[under sub-
sub-clause (i)] is a betted, the abettor shall be liable for
punishment with imprisonment and with fine of either
description as provided therein.]
(c) having obtained a license or permit granted under the Andhra
Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (Act 17 of 1968),8[sells any liquor other
than arrack] otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this
Act or terms of any rule, notification, order, license or permit issued
there under shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which
may extend upto six months or with fine which may extend upto
rupees one thousand or with both;
(d) allow consumption of9[arrack] upon premises in his immediate
possession shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which
may extend upto10[three years or with fine which may extend upto
ten thousand rupees] or with both.
11[(e) contravenes the provisions of section 7A shall on conviction be
punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
one year but which may extend upto12[eight years] and with fine
which shall not be less than13[rupees two lakhs for the first offence
and which shall not be less than rupees five lakhs for the second
offence.]]
14[8-A. Penalty for manufacture or storage of illicitly distilled alcoholic
liquor:-whoever in contravention of Section 7-B of this Act indulges in the
manufacture or storage of illicitly distilled alcoholic liquor shall be punished
with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but
which may extend upto eight years and with fine which shall not be less than
rupees two lakhs for the first offence and which shall not be less than rupees
five lakhs for the second offence;
8-B. Penalty for sale, export, import and transport of alcoholic liquor
manufactured illegally and clandestinely:-whoever in contravention of
section 7-B of this Act indulges in sale, export, import or transport of illicitly
distilled alcoholic liquor shall on conviction be liable for imprisonment for a
1. The words substituted by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 7.2. The words substituted by the Act No. 5 of 1997, section 63. The clauses i and ii substituted by the Act No. 5 of 2020, section 2.4. The words inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 4.5. The clause inserted by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 7.6. The sub-clause iii renumbered as sub-clause ii by the Act No. 5 of 2020, section 2.7. The words inserted by the Act No. 5 of 2020, section 28. The words substituted by the Act No. 5 of 1997, section 6.9. The word substituted by the Act No. 5 of 1997, section 6.10. The words substituted by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 7.11. The clause added by the Act No.35 of 1995, section 7.12. The words inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 4.13.  The words substituted by the Act No. 5 of 2020, section 2.14 Sections 8-A, 8-B, and 8-C inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 5.
term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend upto eight
years and with fine which shall not be less than rupees two lakhs for the first
offence and which shall not be less than rupees five lakhs for the second
offence;
8-C. Penalty for Conspiracy:When two or more persons agree-
(a) to commit any offence punishable under this Act, or
         (b) to commit breach of condition(s) of licence, permit etc., each of such
person shall on conviction be liable for the punishment in the same
manner as if he had abetted such offence.]
9. Punishment for being found in a state of intoxication - Whoever is found
in a state of intoxication in and public place1[otherwise than as permitted
under any law], shall be2[punishable with imprisonment which shell not be
less than two months but which may extend upto3[one year, or with fine]
which may extend upto two thousand rupees], or with both.
4 [Explanation:- For the purposes of this section “intoxication” means a state
state of mind and behavior in which a person is incapable of knowing the
nature of his actions or incapable of judging the consequences thereof by
reason of intoxication.]
10. Punishment for abetment of escape of persons arrested, etc  -Any
officer or person exercising powers under this Act, who,-
(a) unlawfully releases or abets the escape of any person arrested
under this Act5[xxxx].
(b) acts in any manner inconsistent with his duty for the purpose of
enabling any person to do anything where by any of the provisions of
this Act may be evaded or broken6[xxxx] shall be punished with
imprisonment which may extend upto six months, or with fine which
may extend up to five hundred rupees, or with both.
11. Punishments for offences not otherwise provided for - Whoever is
guilty of any willful act or intentional ommission in contravention of any of the
provisions of this Act or of any rule, notification or order made thereunder and
not otherwise provided for in this Act, shall be punishable with fine which may
extend upto five hundred rupees.
7[11-A. Grant of bail- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 no Court shall grant any bail to any person accused
of an offence under8[sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iii) of clause
clause (b) or under clause (e) of section 8, section 8-B or section 8-C] unless
the prosecuting officer is given an opportunity to oppose the application and
the Court shall record reasons while granting the bail.]
9[11-B.Compounding of Offences- (1) The Collector or any Prohibition and
Excise Officer10[or any officer or Special Enforcement Bureau] specially
empowered in that behalf may accept from any person who is reasonably
suspected of having committed an offence falling under11[clause (a) of section
1. The words substituted by Act No. 5 of 1997, section7.2. The words substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 8.3. The words substituted by Act No.23 of 2000, section 3.4 The explanation added by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 8.5. The words “abets the commission of any offence against this Act, or” omitted by Act No. 35 of 1995,
section 9.6. The words “and any other officer of the Government or of a local body who abets the commission of any
offence against this Act” omitted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 9.7. Section 11-A  inserted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 10.8. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 6.9. Section inserted by Act No. 23 of 2000, section 4.10. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 7.11. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 7.
8 or section 9], a sum of money as may be prescribed but not exceeding the
maximum fine which can be imposed for the offence under the provisions of
the Act, by way of compensation for the offence which may have been
committed and in all cases in which anyproperty has been seized as liable for
confiscation under this Act, may release the same on payment of the value
thereof as estimated by such officer:
Provided that where the property so seized is a liquor produced or
manufactured in contravention of this Act, such liquor shall not be released
but shall be disposed of in such manner as may be prescribed:
Provided further that such sum of money shall not be accepted from any
person who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under sub-
clause (i) of clause (b) of section 8 without the prior approval of the
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and/ or  Commissioner of Special
Enforcement Bureau].
(2) On the payment by the person the sum of money or the value or both, as
the case may be, such person, if in custody shall be set at liberty, and all the
property seized may be released and no proceedings shall be instituted or
continued against such person in any Criminal Court. The acceptance of
compensation shall be deemed to amount to an acquittal and in no case any
further proceedings be taken against such person or property with reference to
the same act.]
12. Things liable to confiscation. -Without prejudice to the powers of the
Excise Officers under section 46 of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (Act
17 of 1968), in case in which an offence has been committed against this Act,
the liquor by means of which the offence has been committed shall be liable to
confiscation along with the receptacles, pages, coverings, animals, vessels,
carts or other vehicles used to hold or carry the same.
 13. Confiscation of things by prohibition and  Excise Officers in certain
cases -2[(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law
law for the time being in force where, anything liable for confiscation under
section 12 is seized and detained under the provisions of this Act, the officer
seizing and detaining such property shall without any unreasonable delay,
produce the said seized property before the Deputy Commissioner of
Prohibition and Excise3[and/or the Deputy Commissioner of Special
Enforcement Bureau and/or the Superintendent of Police or Executive
Magistrate ] who has jurisdiction over the area.
 (2) On production of the said seized property under sub-section (1), the Deputy
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and / or the Deputy Commissioner of
Special Enforcement Bureau and / or the Superintendent of Police or Executive
Magistrate] if satisfied that an offence under this Act has been committed may
whether or not a prosecution is instituted for the commission of such an
offence, order confiscation of such property:
4[Provided that the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and / or
or the Deputy Commissioner of Special Enforcement Bureau and/or the
Superintendent of Police or Executive Magistrate] specially empowered in that
behalf may accept such sum of money as may be prescribed in lieu of
confiscation and release the animals or vessels or carts or other vehicles
reasonably suspected of involvement in any offence falling under sub-clause (i)
of clause (b) of section 8 of this Act.]
1. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 7.2. Section substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 11.3. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 8.4. Proviso added by Act No. 23 of 2000, section 5.
(3) While making an order of confiscation under subsection (2), the Deputy
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and / or the Deputy Commissioner of
Special Enforcement Bureau and / or the Superintendent of Police or Executive
Magistrate] may also order that such of the properties to which the order of
confiscation relates which in his opinion need not be preserved; or are not fit
for human consumption be destroyed.
(4) Where the Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and/or the
Deputy Commissioner of Special Enforcement Bureau and/or the
Superintendent of Police or Executive Magistrate] after passing an order of
confiscation under subsection (2) is of the opinion that it is expedient in public
interest so to do, he may order the confiscated property or any part thereof to
be sold by public auction or dispose of departmentally.
(5) The Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and/or the Deputy
Commissioner of Special Enforcement Bureau and/or the Superintendent of
Police or Executive Magistrate] shall submit a full report of all particulars of
confiscation to the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[the District
Magistrate or Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise and /or the
Commissioner, Special Enforcement Bureau, as the case may be ]within twenty
four hours of such confiscation.
(6) The Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise1[and/or the Deputy
Commissioner of Special Enforcement Bureau and/or the Superintendent of
Police or Executive Magistrate] shall, for purposes of this Act, have the same
powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure,
1908(Central Act 5 of 1908) when making enquiries under this section in
respect of the following matters, namely:-
(a) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(b) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him
on oath; and
 (c) compelling the production of documents.
13A.Issue of show cause Notice : No order of confiscation of any property
shall be made under section 13 unless the person from whom the said property
is seized,-
(a) is given a notice in writing informing him of the grounds on which it is
proposed to confiscate such property; and
(b) is given an opportunity of making a representation in writing within such
reasonable time as may be specified in the notice.
13B. Order of confiscation in the absence of offender: 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 Assistant
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise or the Prohibition and Excise
Superintendent2[or the Assistant Commissioner, Special Enforcement Bureau]
may by order confiscate such property:
   Provided that no such order shall be made until the expiration of one month,
from the date of seizing the goods intended to be confiscated.
1. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 8.2. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 10.
13C.Appeal: Any person aggrieved by an order passed by 1[Executive
Magistrate or  Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise and/or the
Deputy Commissioner of Special Enforcement Bureau and / or the
Superintendent of Police] under section 13 may, within sixty days from the
date of passing such order, appeal to the 2[the District Magistrate or
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise or the Commissioner, Special
Enforcement Bureau, as the case may be] and Excise, who may after giving
reasonable opportunity to the appellant pass such orders as he deems fit.
13D. Order of confiscation not to interfere with other punishments:  The
order of confiscation under sub-section (2) of section 13 or section 13B shall
not prevent from initiation of criminal proceedings against the accused under
this Act. The result of criminal proceedings either acquittal or conviction or
otherwise under the provisions of this Act, will have no bearing on the order of
confiscation passed under this Act.
13E.Bar of Jurisdiction: Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act II of 1974) when the Deputy
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise or the appellate authority is seized
with the matter under this Act, no Court shall entertain any application in
respect of liquor, any receptacle, package, covering, any animal, cart, vehicle or
other conveyance used in carrying such liquor as far as its release, or
confiscation is concerned and the jurisdiction of the Deputy Commissioner of
Prohibition and Excise or the appellate authority with regard to the disposal of
the same shall be exclusive.
13F.Property confiscated when to vest in Government: When an order for
confiscation of any property has been passed under section 13 or section 13B
and such order has become final in respect of the whole or any portion of such
property, such property or portion thereof, as the case may be, shall vest in
Government free from all encumbrances.]
14.Police to take charge of articles seized – 2[All officers in charge of police
stations shall take charge of and keep in safe custody under seal all articles
seized under this Act along with samples which shall also be sealed with the
seal of the officer in charge of the police station. The seized property including
vehicles involved shall be produced before Executive Magistrate or the Deputy
Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise3[and / or the Deputy Commissioner of
Special Enforcement Bureau and / or the Superintendent of Police or Executive
Magistrate]having jurisdiction, to take action in accordance with the procedure
specified in section 13.]
CHAPTER - IV4[REGULATION OF MANUFACTURE, TRADE ETC. OF LIQUOR
15. Regulation of liquor other than arrack -  The production, manufacture,
storage, possession, collection, purchase, sale and transport of liquor other
than arrack and all other matters connected therewith shall be regulated in
accordance with the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (Act 17
of 1968) or the Andhra Pradesh (Regulation of Wholesale Trade and
Distribution and Retail Trade in Indian Liquor, Foreign Liquor) Act, 1993(Act
15 of 1993), as the case may be and the rules and notifications and orders
issued thereunder.]
CHAPTER-V
DETECTION, INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF OFFENCES
17. Issue of Search Warrants –1[If any Collector, Prohibition Officer2[or
Executive Magistrate or Special Enforcement Bureau Officer] upon information
1 Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 10.
2. Section substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 12.3. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 11.4. Chapter substituted by Act No. 5 of 1997, section 8.
obtained after such inquiry as he thinks necessary, has reason to believe that
an offence under section 7, section 7A3[section 7-B, section 8 section 8-A,
section 8-B or section8-C] has been committed, he may issue a warrant for a
search for any liquor, materials, still, utensil, implement or apparatus in
respect of which the alleged offence has been committed. Any person who has
been entrusted with the execution of such a warrant may detain and search,
and if he thinks proper, arrest any person found in the place searched, if he
has reason to believe such person to be guilty of any offence under this Act and
also seize and detain any excisable or other articles which he has reason to
believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act.]
18. Powers of entry without search warrant –Whenever a Collector,4[Executive Magistrate], any Prohibition Officer or any Police Officer,5[not below
the rank of Sub-Inspector], any officer in charge of a Police Station,6[or any
Special Enforcement Bureau Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector], has
reason to believe that an offence under7[section 7, section 7A8[section 7-B,
section 8 section 8-A, section 8-B or section8-C]] has been committed and that
the delay occasioned by obtaining search warrant under section 17 will prevent
the execution there of, he may, after recording the 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 and also seize and detain any
excisable or other article which he has reason to believe to be liable to
confiscation under this Act.
9[XXXX]
19.Powers of entry and inspection -The Collector,10[Executive Magistrate,
any Prohibition Officer any Special Enforcement Bureau Officer] or any Police
Officer,11[not below the rank of an Sub-Inspector] may enter and inspect at
any time by day or by night, any place in which it is reasonably suspected,-
(a) that any liquor is kept for sale or stored12[otherwise than in
accordance with the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act,
1968, and the rules made thereunder]; or
(b) that an offence under13[section 7, section 7A14[section 7-B,
section 8 section 8-A, section 8-B or section8-C]] is being committed;
and may examine, test, measure or weight any material, still, utensil,
implement, apparatus or liquor found in such place.
20. Power to use force in case of resistance to entry -If any officer
empowered to make an entry under sections 17, 18 and 19 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 obstacles to his entry into any such
place.
1. Section substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 14.2. Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 12.3.  Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 12.4. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 13.5. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 15.6. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 13.7. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 15.8. Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 13.9. Proviso omitted by Act No.35 of 1995, s 15.10. Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 14.11. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 16.12. Added by  Act No.5 of 1997, section 9.13. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 16.14. Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 14.
21. Arrest of offenders and seizure of contraband liquor and articles
without warrant -Any Prohibition Officer1[any Executive Magistrate, any
Special Enforcement Bureau Officer]or any Police Officer,2[not below the rank
of an Sub-Inspector],-
(a) may arrest without warrant any person found committing an
offence punishable under3[section 7, section 7-A, section 7-B, section
section 8 section 8-A, section 8-B or section8-C or  section 9];
(b) may seize and detain any liquor or other article which he has
reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act; and
(c) may search any person, vessel, vehicle, animal, package,
receptacle or covering, upon whom or in which, he may have
reasonable cause to suspect any such liquor or other article or to be
concealed.
22. 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 made by any Prohibition Officer4[any Executive Magistrate, any Special Enforcement Bureau Officer] or any
Police Officer5[not below the rank of an Sub-Inspector] refuses to give his
name and residence or who gives a name or residence which such officer has
reason to believe to be false, may be arrested by such Officer in order that his
name and residence may be ascertained.
23. Arrest, search etc., how to be made - Any person arrested under this Act,
shall be informed, as soon as may be of the grounds for such arrest and save
as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act II of 1974), relating to arrests, detention
in custody, searches, summons, warrants of arrests, search warrants, the
production of persons arrested and the disposal of things, seized shall apply,
as far as may be, to all actions taken in these respects under this Act.
24. Power to Prohibition and Excise Officer6[or Special Enforcement
Bureau Officer] in matters of investigation –
(1) Any Prohibition and Excise Officer7[not below the rank of an Sub-
Inspector]8[and/ or any Special Enforcement Bureau  Officer not below the
rank of Sub-Inspector] may, as regards offences under this Act, exercise within
such area as may be notified in this behalf, powers conferred on an Officer in
charge of a police station by the provision of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(Central Act II of 1974):
Provided that any such power shall be subject to such restrictions and
modifications, as may be prescribed.
(2) For the purposes of section 156 of the said Code the area in regard to
which a Prohibition and Excise Officer9[and/ or any Special Enforcement
Bureau  Officer] is empowered under sub section (1) shall be deemed to be a
police station and such officer shall be deemed to be the officer-in-charge of
such station.
1. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 15.2. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 17.3. Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 15.4. The words inserted by the Act No. 18 of 2020, section 16.5. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 18.6. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 17.7. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 19.8. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 17 (ii).9. Inserted by Act No. 18 of 2020, section 17 (iii).
25.1[Cognizance and trial of offences]- Notwithstanding anything contained
in the code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Central Act II of 1974), all offences
under this Act, shall be cognizable and provisions of the said code with respect
to cognizable offences shall apply to them:
2[Provided that the offences punishable with imprisonment for a term not
exceeding two years under this Act shall be tried in accordance with the
procedure prescribed in Chapter XXI of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973(Central Act 2 of 1974).]
3[25A.Enhanced punishment after previous conviction - If any person after
having been previously convicted of an offence punishable under this Act,
subsequently commits and is convicted of an offence punishable under this
Act, he shall be liable upto twice the punishment which might be imposed on
the first conviction under this Act.]
26. Punishment for vexatious search of arrest - Any officer or person
exercising powers under this Act who,-
(a) without reasonable ground of suspicion enters or searches or
causes to be searched any closed place; or
(b) 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
(c) vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any
person; or
(d) maliciously and falsely lays information leading to a search,
seizure, detention or arrest; or
(e) in any other way maliciously exceeds his lawful powers,
 shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend upto six
months, or with fine which may extend upto five hundred rupees or
with both.
CHAPTER - VI
MISCELLANEOUS
4[27.[xxxx]]
28. Duty of officials of all Departments and local bodies to assist - Officials
of all departments of the Government and of all local bodies shall be legally
bound to assist any Prohibition 5[any Executive Magistrate or Police,
Prohibition or Special Enforcement Bureau Officer] in carrying out the
provisions of this Act.
29. Offences to be reported, etc., - Every Official employed by the
Government or by any local body other than a6[Executive Magistrate or Police,
Prohibition or Special Enforcement Bureau Officer] shall be bound to give
immediate information at the nearest police station or7[to a Prohibition Officer
to an Executive Magistrate or to a Special Enforcement Bureau Officer] of all
breaches of any of the provisions of this Act which may come to his knowledge:
and all such officials shall be bound to take all reasonable measures in their
1. Substituted by Act No. 10 of 1996, section 3.2. Proviso substituted by Act No.5 of 1997, section 10.3. Section inserted by Act No.10 of 1996, section 4.
4. Omitted by Act No.5 of 1997, section 11.5. Substituted by Act 18 of 2020, section 18.6. Substituted by Act 18 of 2020, section 19.7. Inserted by Act 18 of 2020, section 19.
power to prevent the commission of any such breaches which they may know
or have reason to believe are about or likely to be committed.
30. Protection of action taken under this Act - No suit or other legal
proceedings shall lie against the Government or any officer or any other person
empowered to exercise powers or to perform the functions under this Act for
anything in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.
31.Overriding effect - Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of this Act
shall have effect, notwithstanding anything in consistent therewith contained
in the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (Act 17 of 1968) and
the rules made thereunder for the time being in force.
1[31A.Power to remove difficulties: (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect
to the provisions of this Act, the Government may make such orders not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to them to be necessary
or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiration of two
years from the commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is
made, be laid down before the Legislature of the State.]
32.  Savings - Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to preclude,-
(a) the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited to carry
on trade in liquor in accordance with rules made in this behalf;
(b) the buying and selling of liquor carried on by the military canteens
in the State under any licence granted in accordance with the
provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 (Act 17 of 1968)
and the rule made thereunder; and
2[(c) the consumption and utilization of medicines, toilet preparations
and other food material containing alcohol.]
3[Explanation:- Liquor for the purposes of this section does not
include arrack.]
4[32A. Transitional provision:(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the
Telangana Prohibition Act, 1995, the Andhra Pradesh Liquor (Issue of Permit
and Licence) Rules, 1995, the Indian Contract Act, 1872 or the terms and
conditions of any agreement entered into with the licensing authority under
this Act or under the said rules, for the grant of all such permits and licences
on health grounds on the recommendation of the notified medical authorities
specified under the said rules shall stand cancelled in public interest; and
accordingly no suit or other proceeding shall be entertained or continued in
any court against such permitting or licensing authority or any person or
authority  what so ever for the enforcement of any terms and conditions of
such permit or licence so terminated or for any damages or compensation on
the ground that any loss is sustained by the termination thereof before its
expiry.
(2) within a period of seven days from the date of commencement of
this Act, every licencee shall surrender to the permitting or licensing
authority, the entire stock of liquor on the date of such
commencement, is in the possession of any holder of any permit or
1. Section inserted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 20.2. Substituted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 21.3. Explanation added by Act No. 5 of 1997, section 12.4. Section inserted by Act No. 35 of 1995, section 22.
licence which stood terminated under sub-section (1) on such terms
and conditions, as may be prescribed.
(3) All applications made for grant of permit or licence pending before
the permitting or licensing authority on the appointed date and every
action taken, or enquiry made in respect of such application, shall
abate and all fees paid in connection therewith (including the
application fee and licence fee, if any) already paid shall be refunded.]
33.Power to make Rules -(1) The Government may, by notification, make
rules for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act.
(2) Every rule made under this Act shall, immediately after it is made, be
laid before the Legislative Assembly of the State, if it is in session and if it is
not in session, in the session, immediately following for a total period of
fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive
sessions and if, before the expiration of the session in which it is so laid or the
session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly agree in making any
modification in the rule or in the annulment of the rule, the rule shall from the
date on which the modification or annulment is notified have effect only in
such modified form or shall stand annulled as the case may be so, however,
that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the
validity of anything previously done under that rule.
34. Amendment of Act 17 of 1968 - In the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968,
(1) In section 1, for sub-section (2), the following shall be substituted, namely;
“(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh:
 Provided that on and from the date of commencement of the Andhra
Pradesh Prohibition Act, 1995 the provisions of this Actshall, in so far as they
are inconsistent with the provisions of the said Act cease to operate.”;
(2) In section 5, for sub-section (1) the following shall be substituted, namely:-
“(1) The Government may appoint such number of Additional Commissioners,
Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of
Prohibition and Excise and District Prohibition and Excise Officers and such
other officers as they think fit for the purpose of performing the functions
respectively conferred on them by or under this Act”;
(3) Throughout the Act for the words “Excise Officer” “Commissioner of Excise”,
“Additional Commissioners of Excise”, “Deputy Commissioner of Excise”,
“Assistant Commissioner of Excise”, “Excise Superintendent”, “Assistant Excise
Superintendent” and “Excise Department”, the words, “Prohibition and Excise
Officers”, “Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise”, “Additional Commissioner
of Prohibition and Excise”, “Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise”,
“Assistant Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise”, “Prohibition and Excise
Superintendent” “Assistant Prohibition and Excise and Superintendent” and
“Prohibition and Excise Department” shall respectively be substituted.
35.Repeal Act x of 1937 and Ordinance 19 of 1994 - The Andhra Pradesh
(Andhra Area) Prohibition Act, 1937 and  the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition
Ordinance, 19 of 1994 hereby repealed.

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