The Pune Excise Department took strict action on Tuesday by sealing the Cosie Bar and Black Bar which allegedly served liquor to the minor accused in a recent rash driving case. This incident resulted in the tragic deaths of two young individuals, Ashwini Koshta and Aneesh Awadhia after their motorcycle collided with the minor's luxury car in Kalyani Nagar during the early hours of Sunday.
Juvenile Driver Apprehended, Trial Being Pursued
While the minor driver was initially apprehended, the Juvenile Justice Board granted him bail with specific conditions focused on rehabilitation and awareness. The Pune Police, however, are seeking permission to try the juvenile in a regular court.
Multiple Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Three individuals including the bar owner and manager who served the minor on the night of the accident have been sent to police custody until May 24th. Another bar manager from a separate establishment who was allegedly involved in serving alcohol to the minor is also among the accused. The authorities are currently detaining the juvenile's father and another bar owner with the arrest process underway.
Juvenile's Bail Conditions
The bail granted to the minor by the Juvenile Justice Board on May 19th came with specific requirements aimed at promoting responsible behaviour. These conditions include working with the Yerawada traffic police for 15 days, writing an essay reflecting on the accident, undergoing treatment to address alcohol use and participating in psychiatric counselling with a report to be submitted.
Earlier Delhi Government Cracked Down on Underage Drinking
- Minimum Legal Drinking Age Remains 25: In 2015, a proposal to lower the legal drinking age in Delhi from 25 to 21 was rejected by the AAP government. The current legal age of 25 remains in effect.
- Strict Action for Selling to Minors: The Delhi government has issued a warning to all liquor vendors, hotels, pubs, and clubs in the city. Selling or serving alcohol to customers under the age of 25 is a serious offence and will result in strict penalties. This includes the possibility of license cancellation.
- Age Verification Required: If there is any doubt about a customer's age, establishments are required to request age verification documents to confirm they are 25 or older.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: The Delhi Excise Act of 2009 prohibits the sale or distribution of liquor to anyone under 25. According to a government official, serving alcohol to underage customers is considered a major offence. If an establishment is found to be in violation then it may face penalties like license suspension, cancellation or heavy fines.
- Recent License Suspension: The official also mentioned a recent case where a bar in Hauz Khas had its license suspended for serving liquor to a minor. This serves as an example of the government's commitment to enforcing the legal drinking age.
- Regular Inspections Planned: The government plans to conduct regular inspections of bars, hotels, pubs and liquor stores to ensure compliance with excise rules. If underage customers are found on the premises during these inspections then the establishment will face legal consequences.
Understanding Alcohol Laws in India
- State-Specific Alcohol Regulations: In India, the regulation of alcohol sales and consumption falls under state jurisdiction. Each state has the authority to modify alcohol laws based on their individual preferences and needs. Consequently, alcohol is typically sold in various establishments such as bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, and discos.
- Sale and Consumption Rules: State laws not only set the legal drinking age but also determine where alcohol can be sold. In some states, even grocery stores and departmental stores are permitted to sell alcohol. As alcohol regulations are a state subject, they vary significantly across India. This leads to different legal drinking ages in different states. It’s important to distinguish between the legal age for consumption and the age for purchasing alcohol. The consumption age is the minimum age at which an individual is legally allowed to drink alcohol, whereas the purchasing age is the age at which one can legally buy alcohol from licensed sellers.
- Legal Drinking Ages Across States: The legal drinking age varies widely across Indian states. For instance, the minimum drinking age is 18 in states like Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Karnataka, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Pondicherry. In contrast, states such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra (for beer only), among others, set the drinking age at 21. In some regions like Punjab, Meghalaya, Haryana, and Delhi, the legal age to consume alcohol is 25. Additionally, certain states like Gujarat, Manipur, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep have completely prohibited alcohol consumption.
- Drunk-Driving Regulations: The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 governs the laws regarding drunk driving in India. According to Section 185, if a driver’s Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) exceeds 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, they face severe penalties. For a first-time offence, the penalty can be up to six months of imprisonment and a fine of up to 2000 rupees or both. If the individual repeats the offence within three years, the penalties increase to two years of imprisonment with a fine up to 3000 rupees, or both.
- Public Drinking Prohibitions: Drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited to maintain societal order. Despite this, individuals often consume alcohol secretly in public areas. If caught, the fine is 5000 rupees. Moreover, if the person causes a disturbance while intoxicated, the fine can go up to 10,000 rupees along with a potential jail term of up to three months. Understanding these laws is crucial for both residents and visitors in India as compliance ensures personal safety and adherence to regional regulations.
The Unhealthy Side of Drinking
There's a darker side to alcohol consumption beyond just the legal implications. This section explores the negative aspects of drinking and the importance of responsible consumption.
Unhealthy Habits and Dangerous Behaviours: Binge eating and driving under the influence are just a few examples of unhealthy habits and dangerous behaviours that can accompany drinking. These can have serious consequences for a person's health and safety.
Legal Age and Enforcement
Many people believe that the legal drinking age of 21 in Tamil Nadu acts as a deterrent. If we compare it to the driving age by highlighting that fear of legal repercussions keeps many in check. However, it is emphasized that there is a need for proper enforcement of these laws.
Factors Beyond Drinking Age
While acknowledging underage drinking, it can be argued that other factors contribute more significantly to the disruption of students' lives. Easy access to money allows some teenagers to purchase alcohol regularly. The importance of a balanced life including strong family connections is a relevant aspect that needs to be considered.
The Role of the State
It can be questioned that now what's the state's role in regulating how citizens drink. While enforcing laws in public places is crucial regulating personal behaviour within private spaces becomes a matter of individual responsibility for those above the legal drinking age.
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