Bengaluru Police Register First-of-its-Kind Case Against Pub for Serving Alcohol to Minor
In a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru, city police have registered a criminal complaint against a popular pub in West Bengaluru for allegedly serving alcohol to a minor. This unprecedented action follows the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy who reportedly took his own life after consuming liquor at the establishment.
Tragic Sequence of Events Unfolds After School Farewell Party
The heartbreaking incident occurred on January 31 when the Class 10 student, along with 10-12 classmates, visited Legacy Brewing Company at Aditya Layout in Rajarajeshwarinagar following their school farewell party. According to police investigations, the teenagers allegedly consumed alcohol and attempted to smoke at the pub to celebrate completing their school education.
The victim reportedly became intoxicated during the gathering and expressed fear about returning home, worried about potential punishment from his parents if they discovered he had been drinking. His friends eventually convinced him to go home, with one companion dropping him at his apartment building on Dr Vishnuvardhan Road in Banashankari 5th Stage using a two-wheeler.
Final Moments and Immediate Aftermath
The friend accompanied the boy in the elevator to the seventh floor, left him in the corridor, and returned downstairs. Police reports indicate that the teenager lingered in the corridor for several minutes before jumping from the balcony at approximately 9:45 PM. No suicide note was discovered at the scene.
Security guards at the apartment complex heard a loud noise and rushed to the location, finding the boy lying in a pool of blood. They immediately identified him and alerted his parents, who rushed him to a nearby hospital. Tragically, doctors declared him brought dead upon arrival.
Police Investigation Uncovers Critical Details
Medical examination confirmed that the boy was under the influence of alcohol at the time of his death. His friends later revealed to his parents that they had visited a pub and consumed alcohol before returning home. This information prompted a thorough police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Yatish N stated that during their comprehensive investigation, police examined the case from multiple angles and determined that on January 31, the minors had indeed consumed alcohol and smoked at the pub. "For allowing minors to consume alcohol, a case has been registered against the owners and staff of the concerned establishment at Rajarajeshwarinagar police station under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Karnataka Excise Act," the DCP announced.
Legal Action and Potential Consequences for the Pub
A police team visited the pub and verified that the boy and his friends had consumed alcohol at the establishment. In addition to the case against the pub, police have registered a separate case of unnatural death. Both cases were filed based on formal complaints submitted by the boy's grieving father.
"We wrote to the excise department seeking cancellation of the pub's licence. The staff should have exercised supervision and should have sent the boys out instead of serving liquor," revealed a senior police officer involved in the investigation.
Broader Implications for Minor Safety and Pub Regulations
Police authorities highlighted that this case reflects a growing concern about minors illegally consuming alcohol or banned substances, which has been linked to incidents such as road rage, assault, and eve-teasing in recent times. "Keeping this in view, senior officers instructed us to register a case against the pub," police officials emphasized.
This landmark case represents one of the first instances where Bengaluru police have taken such decisive legal action against an establishment for serving alcohol to minors, potentially setting a precedent for stricter enforcement of existing laws designed to protect young people from alcohol-related harm.
