Tue Jun 03 14:22:08 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Over the past three years (2022-2025), the Karnataka Excise Department has registered over 204,000 cases related to liquor law violations, seizing goods worth over ₹102 crore and arresting over 192,000 people, later released on bail. Most cases fall under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, targeting public drinking. While the department claims strong enforcement and NGO awareness campaigns, residents express concerns about open alcohol consumption near liquor stores, particularly its impact on children, and believe sellers should be held more accountable. Bar owners allege harassment by excise officials for minor violations, while the Federation of Wine Merchants Association criticizes lax enforcement against illegal liquor sales in villages.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Excise Department Cracks Down on Liquor Violations, Seizing Crores in Goods**

**Bengaluru, June 3, 2025** – The Karnataka Excise Department has reported a significant crackdown on liquor law violations over the past three years, registering a total of 2.04 lakh cases and seizing goods worth over ₹102 crore. The figures, released today, detail enforcement efforts between 2022 and 2025, resulting in the arrest of over 1.92 lakh individuals who were later released on bail.

Most of the cases fall under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, targeting individuals consuming alcohol in unlicensed public spaces. This has been a recurring concern for resident welfare associations, who cite issues with public drinking outside liquor stores and its impact on children. “We often don’t know who to report it to when we see people drinking openly, even where children are present,” said Bhavana Murthy, a resident of Attur Layout.

R. Venkatesh Kumar, Commissioner of Excise Department, attributes the high number of cases to strong enforcement at the taluk level and awareness campaigns by NGOs. However, resident groups claim not enough action is taken against sellers for allowing public drinking outside their stores.

The department also registered 45,885 cases for Breach of License Conditions (BLC). While officials state these cases involve violations of license regulations, some bar owners allege harassment for minor infractions. S. Guruswamy, president of the Federation of Wine Merchants Association, Karnataka, criticized the department for focusing on “silly issues” while ignoring widespread illegal liquor sales in rural areas. “The enforcement is not strong at all in villages where illegal liquor is sold openly. The department officials always trouble the license holders, especially if we question their ways,” he claimed.

The Karnataka Excise Department maintains that it treats both the seller and consumer equally responsible under Section 15(A) violations. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges in balancing enforcement efforts with public concerns and business interests within the state’s liquor industry.

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