Bengaluru trio held for illegal sale of liquor, hookahs

Just ahead of reopening of liquor shops in Karnataka from Monday, three persons were arrested in the city on charge of illegal sale of alcohol and offering hookah service amid the lockdown, an official said.

"The accused invited customers inside the closed CAF Eleven hookah bar  in Banashankari on the sly to sell liquor and offer hookahs for smoking," Central Crime Branch (CCB) Deputy Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Jain told IANS on Monday.

Bar owner Sooraj Kumar, 29, bar manager Lakshman, 26, and staff Jeethu, 21, were arrested under the Excise Act and Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Jain said.

Police also seized hookah pots, tobacco flavour boxes, liquor bottles, and other bar paraphernalia.

Of late, Bengaluru has seen a series of lockdown liquor sale violations and arrests.

Starting Monday, liquor sales are allowed in the state, including red zones like Bengaluru and Mysuru, except in hotspots listed by the state health department.

The licensed shops will remain open for business from 9 am to 6 pm daily and shall not allow more than five customers inside at a time to maintain physical/social distancing.