41 people arrested for drinking in public places in Delhi

New Delhi: 41 people were held in the National Capital for consuming liquor in public places by the Excise Department on the second day of its special drive against open drinking, taking the total numbers of people arrested to 77.

The action was taken against the violators under section 40 of the Delhi Excise Act and they were handed over to police in different police stations for further action as per law.

The arrests were made from Nand Nagri, Prasad Nagar, Ranjeet Nagar, Govindpuri, Badarpur, Vasant Kunj, Janakpuri, Katju Marg, Subhash Place, Mukherjee Nagar, Naraina, Burari, Timarpur, Mayur Vihar, New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar, yesterday.

On first of the drive launched on Monday, 36 people had been caught drinking alcohol in the open.

In North-East Delhi, three persons were arrested while six persons were caught for the same.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia yesterday had made it clear that the government is sending a clear message to violators that they should clean up their act, or face the music.

There will be zero tolerance against such behaviour and the government will keep an eye out for miscreants who violate the Excise act, he has said.

Delhi Government had announced a three-fold action plan for crackdown on illegal consumption of liquor and violation of the Excise Act.

A week long awareness drive had been launched in this regard following which arrests have been made and more arrests are likely.

The government said earlier anyone caught drinking publicly will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and anyone creating nuisance in public will be fined Rs 10,000 and face arrest.