Bengaluru On Dry Days Alert: Liquor Shops Closed For 3 Days Starting Today

Bengaluru is gearing up for three dry days as authorities have decided to temporarily halt all liquor sales in the city ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26.

Liquor sales ban timings

According to a directive from the Bengaluru city police department, all liquor outlets will remain closed from 5 pm on Wednesday, April 24, until midnight on April 26, the Deccan Herald reported.

Additional liquor ban for counting day on June 3

Following the polling, liquor sales will also be suspended from 12 am on June 3 to 12 am on June 4 due to the vote counting process. During this period, establishments including shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, and taverns will be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages.

The order specifies that restaurants and hotels will only be allowed to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages, as per the report.

"I, the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Bangalore City District, Bangalore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 135(c) of the Karnataka Excise Statutes (General Clauses) Rules, 1967 Rule-10(b) of the Government and Representation of the People Act, 1951 from Date of Poll: 24-04-2024 5.00 PM to Date: 26-04-2024 12.00 midnight and counting date: 03-06-2024 12.00 midnight to 12.00 midnight on 04-06-2024 throughout Bangalore City District (except Police Commissionerate Area) implement and order to ban all types of liquor production, sale, distribution, transportation, storage etc. and declared as 'Dry Days,'" the order issued by Bengaluru city police commissioner, B Dayananda, stated.

Section 144 to be imposed in Bengaluru

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC will be enforced from 6 pm on April 24 until midnight on April 26 within the Bengaluru city commissionerate limits, the publication stated.

The order specifies the prohibition of gatherings exceeding five individuals, rallies, public meetings, possession of lethal weapons and explosives, display and burning of effigies, delivery of provocative speeches, and public chanting of political slogans.