A Chinese national was arrested on the charge of possessing liquor in dry Bihar. Identified as Tiandong, the Chinese was apprehended when the Patna police raided the guest house at Gardanibagh area in the State capital where eight other Chinese were staying due to some telecom-related business.

The apprehended person told the police that he had bought one bottle from his native place in China while another bottle of Royal Challenge was provided by the guest house employee. Though the medical test could not establish that the Chinese was under the influence of alcohol, the cops recovered three more bottles of IMFL from two different rooms.

In dry Bihar, consumption or possession of liquor is a cognisable offence and the offender, if proved guilty, could be slapped with 10 years of imprisonment.

“Top officials from the Chinese Consulate contacted Patna police and told the cops that the arrested person was not aware of prohibition in Bihar. Some more calls came from Delhi too in defence of the apprehended Chinese,” said a source here on Tuesday.

“Tiandong has been booked under Section 38 (1 and 2) of Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act 2016. He was produced before a judicial magistrate who remanded him to Beur Jail on Monday evening,” said the source.

Later, the telecom company Oppo, for which Tiandong reportedly worked, issued a statement to the media saying that the action by the employee was undertaken in his personal capacity and in no way represented the company’s views or intentions. “The company will cooperate with the authorities concerned so that the investigation is done smoothly,” the statement said.