A bar in Bengaluru was raided on Saturday night by the police for serving liquor to underage clients. Bottle & Glass, which is located on 100 feet road, Indiranagar was raided by officials of the indiranagar Police Station. A case under Karnataka Excise Act and Police Act has been registered against the management.
The watering hole has been temporarily shut. A waiter at Bottle & Glass claimed that the pub is closed for three days for “maintenance purpose” but refused to talk about the raid.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Ajai Hilori tweeted, “Raided the pub BOTTLE & GLASS on 100 feet road, Indiranagar, booked a case under Karnataka excise act, Police Act for serving liquor to underaged, playing loud music.”
Raided the pub BOTTLE & GLASS on 100 feet road, Indiranagar, booked a case under Karnataka excise act, Police Act for serving liquor to underaged, playing loud music @CPBlr @AddlCPEast @BlrCityPolice pic.twitter.com/Km5frrEg8E
— AJAY HILORI, IPS (@DCPEASTBCP) September 8, 2018
Inspector Ravi told TNM that the raid was conducted at 4.30pm based on a tip off. “We went and found that a party was going on and minors were being served alcohol. There were more than 50 minors at that point of time. Two people – one from an event management company and another from the pub management – have been arrested,” Inspector Ravi told TNM. The duo is still in custody.
Legal age to consume alcohol in India varies from state to state. In Karnataka, the age is set at 21. If someone is found serving alcohol to a minor, their liquor license can be suspended by the excise department. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, the offence can attract a seven-year jail term.
Meanwhile, residents pointed that this was not the only establishment playing loud music. In fact, another pub which operates from the same building, allegedly plays music at louder than permissible limits.
In fact, residents pointed out that the same establishment that has been raided now was served a notice by the then Assistant Commissioner of Bengaluru Police Mohammed Sajjad Khan regarding playing loud music in April 2017.
Residents in Indiranagar have been proactive and vocal about mushrooming of pubs and bar in residential areas which violate zonal regulations.