Court Calls for Limits on Serving Liquor After Pune Car Crash
In the wake of a tragic car accident involving a 17-year-old boy in Pune, a local court has taken a strong stance on the responsibility of pub and bar operators in serving alcohol. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, resulted in the deaths of two people. The court has remanded three accused, including an owner and two managers of different restaurants, to police custody until May 24.
The prosecution argued that the establishments owned or managed by the accused served liquor to the boy and his friends without verifying their ages. The prosecution sought seven days of custody for further investigation. Expressing concern over the loss of lives, Additional Sessions Court Judge S. P. Ponkshe emphasized the need for stricter controls on serving alcohol.
The judge stated that pubs and bars must take responsibility for the safety of their patrons and the public. “If the person is highly drunk, make arrangements for his stay there. What should people walking on the road do? Those who have come to the pub would not go home walking. They will go driving their vehicles. A change has to be there somewhere,” said Judge Ponkshe.
The judge directed the establishments to decide on a limit for serving alcohol to customers. She stressed the importance of being aware of how much liquor should be served and ensuring patrons do not leave in a highly intoxicated state.
The defense counsel, Adv S. K. Jain, opposed the police custody, arguing that the section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act is non-cognizable and that the investigation was already completed. However, the prosecution insisted that police custody was necessary for further investigation.
The tragic accident has highlighted the critical need for responsible alcohol service and the enforcement of age verification. The court’s directive aims to prevent such incidents in the future by ensuring that pubs and bars take a more proactive role in monitoring and controlling alcohol consumption among their patrons.
