360 arrested in 3 weeks for drinking in open

As many as 360 people have been arrested in three weeks by the Delhi government’s Excise Department during its ongoing drive to check consumption of liquor in public places.

The drive was launched on November 7 and action has been taken against the violators under Section 40 of the Delhi Excise Act. The violators have been handed over to the Delhi Police for further action.

“Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Manish Sisodia had earlier this month announced a three-fold action plan for crackdown on illegal consumption of liquor in the open,” an official said.

Prior to the launch of the drive, a week-long awareness campaign was held in this regard. “Anyone caught drinking publicly will now have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and anyone creating nuisance in public will be fined Rs 10,000 and face arrest,” the official said.

Sisodia has earlier said that the intention of the government is not to put people behind bars but to reform them and curb the menace which is taking a toll on families and to ensure the safety of women.