Pune Authorities Seal Liquor Outlets After Teen's Fatal Car Crash

In a decisive move by the Maharashtra excise department, two Pune restaurants were sealed on Tuesday, following a tragic incident involving underage drinking and a fatal car crash. The local administration, acting on directives from the Pune district collectorate, confirmed the closure of these establishments where a 17-year-old boy, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, was involved in an accident that resulted in the death of two software engineers.

The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Kalyani Nagar, Pune, when the teenager, driving a Porsche, hit two motorbike-borne individuals. Reports from the police suggest that the juvenile, along with friends, had visited Cosie restaurant and Hotel Blak Club between 9:30 pm on Saturday and 1 am on Sunday, where they allegedly consumed alcohol.

Following the incident, both venues—Cosie restaurant located in Koregaon Park and Blak Club situated in Mundhwa—were sealed. The action was taken under the orders of district collector Suhas Diwase, as per a statement from the district administration. This measure underscores the authorities' commitment to enforcing strict adherence to laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.

In response to this incident, the state excise department has initiated a special inspection drive targeting pubs and licensed restaurants. The aim is to prevent these establishments from serving liquor to underage customers and operating past the legal closing time of 1:30 am. The statement from the district administration highlighted that any establishment found violating these regulations would face severe consequences, including registration of cases against them and possible cancellation of their licenses.

This incident has prompted a renewed focus on ensuring that laws regarding alcohol sale and consumption are strictly followed. The excise department's proactive measures aim to safeguard public safety and prevent such unfortunate events from occurring in the future.