Drinking at public places in South Delhi can put you behind bars

Amid much debate over the lowering of drinking age, the Delhi Police won’t allow consumption of alcohol at public places. 

Drinking at public places, especially in South Delhi, could land behind bars. Moreover, a vendor serving drinks and snacks to you might also land in <g data-gr-id="36">soup</g> as the police have banned <g data-gr-id="23">unathorised</g> vendors near liquor shops.  

The south district police have issued guidelines, directing owners of all liquor shops in their jurisdiction to prohibit alcohol consumption outside their establishments and install high-resolution CCTV cameras outside their shops. The CCTV cameras must have night vision and should cover up to <g data-gr-id="35">50 meter</g> area outside the shop.

“Often people are spotted drinking near liquor shops. Under the influence of alcohol, they tend to misbehave with the public or indulge in a scuffle. We have issued these guidelines to put a check on such activities. The orders were issued on September 18 and all Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) are maintaining a tight vigil in their respective areas to ensure that the guidelines are followed,” said a senior south district police official.

According to the guidelines, the CCTV cameras should be scanned regularly. “The system shall preserve a digital record of CCTV coverage for not less than 10 days. Before starting sales for the day, the manager of the liquor shop should ensure that the CCTV cameras are functional. He shall put up a board outside his shop, mentioning that drinking in public places is an <g data-gr-id="30">offence</g> and <g data-gr-id="31">unauthorised</g> vendors outside a liquor shop is strictly prohibited. The telephone number of the nearest police station shall also be mentioned on the board,” the guidelines state.

Recently, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi had expressed its willingness to lower the legal age for drinking to 21 from 25. This statement by Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra earned the government a lot of flat, especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).