Bengaluru: In light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26, Bengaluru will observe three dry days as all liquor sales have been temporarily halted by city officials. The suspension of liquor sales will begin from 5 pm on Wednesday, April 24, and continue until midnight on April 26. Additionally, liquor sales will be suspended again from 12 am on June 3 to 12 am on June 4 due to the vote counting process. During these periods, establishments such as shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, and taverns are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages. Instead, they will only be allowed to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages.
The directive, issued by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Mr. B Dayananda, invokes section 135(c) of the Karnataka Excise Statutes (General Clauses) Rules, 1967 and Rule-10(b) of the Government and Representation of the People Act, 1951. Additionally, ahead of the voting, Section 144 of the CrPC will be imposed from 6 pm on April 24 until midnight on April 26 within the Bengaluru city commissionerate limits. This order prohibits gatherings of more than five individuals, rallies, public meetings, possession of lethal weapons and explosives, display and burning of effigies, delivery of provocative speeches, and public chanting of political slogans.
