Manipal: Six Cases Booked Against Pubs And Bar-Restaurants After Under-21 Persons Found Consuming Liquor
More than 50 police personnel, split into six teams and led by Manipal Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad, inspected six pubs and bar-and-restaurant establishments in Manipal and Eshwar Nagar: Reports
MANIPAL: Police have registered six separate cases against the owners and managers of bars and pubs in Manipal after finding 64 boys and 23 girls below the age of 21 years, along with one 17-year-old minor boy, consuming liquor inside the establishments during late-night inspections on Saturday.
The inspection was carried out on August 1 following directions from the Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar amid allegations that some pubs and bars were permitting students to smoke hookah and serving alcohol in violation of the law.
More than 50 police personnel, split into six teams and led by Manipal Police Inspector Mahesh Prasad, inspected six pubs and bar-and-restaurant establishments in Manipal and Eshwar Nagar. Officers from Manipal, Malpe, Hiriyadka, Kota and the Udupi Women's Police Station were part of the operation.
During the inspections, police found 64 young men and 23 young women below the age of 21 allegedly consuming alcohol inside the establishments. Police also found a 17-year-old boy at one of the bars, officials said.
Police conducted spot mahazars and forwarded the reports to the Manipal Police Station for further legal action. Based on the findings, six separate cases have been registered against the owners and managers of the respective pubs and bars, and an investigation has been taken up.
The cases relate to alleged violations of provisions of the Karnataka Excise Act and the Karnataka Excise Licence (Licence Conditions) Rules governing the entry of persons below the prescribed age and the sale of liquor.
The police officials are examining the possibility of submitting a report to the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district recommending suspension of the licences of the bars and restaurants for allowing minors and persons below 21 years of age to enter the premises and consume liquor.
The police further warned that similar raids would continue in the future. Any bar or restaurant found allowing persons below 21 years of age to enter and consume liquor, or otherwise violating the provisions of COTPA, the Karnataka Excise Licence Rules (Licence Conditions) or the Karnataka Excise Act, would face legal action.
Police said the establishments inspected on Saturday were Ecstasy 7th Heaven Pub in Manipal, Sai Sagar Bar & Restaurant (Noch on Top Resto Bar) in Eshwar Nagar, Down The Road Bar & Restaurant in Manipal, Dexter Bar & Restaurant, Dee Tee Bar & Restaurant in Eshwar Nagar, and Janani Bar & Restaurant (Edge Bar & Restaurant) in Eshwar Nagar.