Excise department arrests 36 people on first day of drive against drinking in public

Launching a drive against public consumption of alcohol, the Excise Department of the Delhi government has arrested 36 people on the first day. After that, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia warned people of strict action for drinking in the open and pledged to intensify the drive.

Sisodia, who also heads the Excise Department said on Tuesday that he had written to Delhi High Court Chief Justice G Rohini requesting her to provide 10 mobile magistrates so that challans could be issued on the spot.

The Deputy CM added that the government is committed to completely stop public consumption of alcohol as it makes women feel unsafe and affects business - particularly in markets.

"Yesterday, we arrested 36 people for open drinking. They were produced before the magistrates and handed over to the police in the night. I appeal to people not to drink in public places. We will intensify the drive against such behaviour. The Delhi government doesn't have any intention to send people to jail, but won't spare them if they are found consuming liquor in public places as common people especially women feel unsafe," Sisodia said at a press conference here.

The department has formed 10 special teams of four members each to catch people consuming alcohol in the open. On the first day of the drive, raids were conducted at Karol Bagh, Jamrudhpur, Jankapuri, Jahangirpuri and Nehru Place among others.

In North East district, three persons were apprehended while in Central and New Delhi districts, eight people were caught drinking liquor in public places. Ten people were arrested in West Delhi.

According to the government, it will strictly enforce the Excise Act under which consuming alcohol at public places attracts a fine of Rs 5,000, which can even go up to Rs 10,000 with a jail term of three months if the offender creates nuisance.

Sisodia had last month announced the drive after he, during an inspection of a liquor shop in Mayur Vihar, found that people were drinking alcohol near liquor shops and creating a ruckus, thus causing inconvenience to the residents, especially women.

--PTI