From cars to under flyovers: 36 arrested for drinking in public in Delhi

The excise department of the Delhi government arrested 36 people on Monday for drinking in public. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said 10 teams were

The excise department of the Delhi government arrested 36 people on Monday for drinking in public. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said 10 teams were formed to enforce a ban on public drinking. The teams conducted raids at several places including Karol Bagh, Zamrudpur, Janakpuri District Centre, Vikaspuri, near Rajokri flyover, Kasturba Nagar and Pitampura.

Last month, Delhi deputy CM Sisodia had announced that those consuming liquor in public places will be arrested from November 7. (Sanjeev Verma/HT File)

“I want to say our intension is not to arrest people in large numbers. We were getting complaints in this regard. We want to make women and children secure. Because of this drinking in open habit, people have stopped coming to several markets with their family,” Sisodia said on Tuesday.

Last month, Sisodia announced that those consuming liquor in public places would be arrested from November 7. Those arrested will face criminal proceedings and have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000, Sisodia said.

Read: No more car-o-bar in Delhi: Drinking in public places can now land you in jail

Public drinking attracts a fine of Rs 5,000 and double the amount if anyone creates nuisance in public after drinking

Sisodia also informed he had written to the Delhi high court to arrange ‘mobile magistrate’ so that offenders could be ticketed on spot. “Violators were taken to the concerned police station in the evening. They will face trial. If we get ‘mobile magistrate’, on spot challan will be issued. On Monday, total 36, people arrested who were consuming liqour in open — in the cars, under flyover, or near underpass. The arrests should be a warning for all those engaging such behaviour. The Delhi government is committed to ban drinking at public places. No one will be spared if found drinking publicly,” he said.

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