Manipal Police Crack Down on Public Drinking, Book Five Students
In a late-night operation, the Manipal police in Udupi district have taken strict action against public drinking by registering a case against five students. The incident unfolded on Wednesday when authorities received a tip-off about individuals consuming alcohol in a public area, leading to a coordinated raid and subsequent legal proceedings.
Police Receive Tip-Off During Routine Patrol
Thimmesh BN, the Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) of Manipal police station, was conducting his regular rounds on Wednesday evening when he obtained crucial information. Sources alerted him that a group of people were openly consuming alcohol near Mandavi Palace in Vidyaratna Nagar, a public place where such activities are prohibited under local laws.
Coordinated Raid Leads to Detention
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, PSI Thimmesh BN, along with his team, mobilized in an official vehicle to the specified location. To avoid alerting the suspects, the police parked their vehicle at a distance and conducted a discreet observation. Confirming the illegal activity, they launched a raid around 10:45 PM, detaining five individuals for questioning.
The detained persons were identified as:
- Varun S, aged 23, a hostel resident originally from Vidyaranyapura, Bengaluru
- Aditya Dev S, aged 25, also staying in a hostel and hailing from Kozhikode, Kerala
- Tharesh MV, aged 31, from Somwarpet, Kodagu
- Arnabh Baidya, aged 31, a hostel resident from Tripura
- Karthik Prasad, aged 23, residing in a hostel and originally from Ernakulam
During interrogation, all five admitted to consuming alcohol in the public place, corroborating the police's initial findings.
Evidence Seized and Legal Action Initiated
Upon inspecting the spot, the police team seized substantial evidence, including:
- A 650 ml bottle of beer
- Two empty 330 ml bottles
- One half-filled can of Hoegaarden Witbier
- An empty packet of rum
- An empty plastic glass
The accused were taken into custody, and a formal case was registered at the Manipal police station under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act. This section specifically addresses violations related to the consumption of alcohol in public spaces, highlighting the seriousness of the offense.
Implications and Broader Context
This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement in Karnataka to curb public drinking, which is often linked to disturbances and safety concerns. The Karnataka Excise Act is designed to regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol, with strict penalties for non-compliance. Cases like this serve as a reminder to the public, especially students and young adults, about the legal ramifications of such actions.
The police have emphasized that such raids will continue to ensure public order and safety, particularly in areas frequented by students and residents. The detained individuals are expected to face legal proceedings as per the provisions of the act, with potential consequences including fines or other penalties.
