The Karnatka government on Wednesday was asked by the state's High Court, to spell out its stand on a PIL, that sought a ban on the sale of liquor on December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018.
The petition filed with the court claimed that alcohol must be banned on New Year's eve, particularly to prevent crimes against women and road accidents.
The Bangalore Mirror reported that the petition was filed by Nagesh, an activist from the Purusha Rakshana Vedike (men's protection group), who cited the molestation incident that was reported in the city, during New Year celebrations last year.
The Mirror report adds that the HC has asked the state government what steps have been taken to prevent such incidents, and posted the matter for December 15.
Reports add that the petitioner had submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, the State Police Chief, and others on November 4, 2017, seeking a ban on sale of liquor during New Year's eve, but did not get a response.
Last month, it was reported that authorities in Bengaluru are not taking any chances this time round.
City Mayor Sampath Raj has allotted Rs 5 crore for installing CCTV cameras and LED screens to prevent such incidents at important junctions.
Speaking to TNM earlier, the Mayor had said, “360-degree cameras will be installed at a cost of Rs 5 crore at major junctions including Brigade Road. One monitor will be at the local police station and another will be at the BBMP office. The coverage will be like in metro stations where the entire area is under CCTV surveillance.”
Bengaluru got a bad name after media reports claimed that women were “molested” en masse in the heart of the city on December 31, 2016. Police were accused of remaining mute spectators when the incident allegedly took place on Brigade Road.
Photos and videos of the chaotic scenes were splashed in national and international media. Following this, the image of Bengaluru being a safe city for women had come into question.