Udupi: Manipal police registered cases against the owners and managers of six pubs & bars after 88 people below the age of 21, including a 17-year-old boy, were allegedly found consuming alcohol during raids Saturday.Acting on the directions of Udupi SP Hariram Shankar, six teams comprising more than 50 personnel inspected the establishments following allegations that they were serving alcohol to those below 21 and allowing students to smoke hookah.Police said 64 young men and 23 young women below 21, apart from the minor, were found consuming alcohol. Mahazars were drawn up and cases registered for alleged violations of the Karnataka Excise Licences (general conditions) Rules and the Karnataka Excise Act. Investigations are under way.The operation was led by Manipal police inspector Mahesh Prasad. The six teams were headed by PSIs Thimmesh B N and Shambhulingayya M E of Manipal police station, Anilkumar D of Malpe police station, Puneeth Kumar B E of Hiriyadka police station, Praveen Kumar of Kota police station, and Shrishaila D M of Udupi Women’s Police Station.Police said they would consider sending a report to the Udupi deputy commissioner recommending suspension of the licences of establishments that allegedly permitted minors and people below 21 to enter and consume alcohol.They warned that similar inspections would continue and that action would be taken against establishments violating excise regulations and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (Cotpa).
