The Dakshina Kannada Excise Department carried out surprise inspections at more than 10 bars, pubs and licensed liquor establishments in Mangaluru as part of a special enforcement drive aimed at preventing underage drinking and ensuring compliance with Karnataka liquor regulations. The coordinated raids were conducted between 8 pm and 10.30 pm, with excise teams deployed simultaneously at multiple locations to keep the operation unannounced and effective.
The inspections focused on verifying the age of customers and checking whether liquor was being served to individuals below the legal drinking age of 21 years. According to Gayathri C.H., Deputy Superintendent of the Excise Department, officials examined identity documents of customers, including Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and driving licences, but no violations or irregularities were detected during the inspections. However, bar owners and employees were warned that serving alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 would attract strict action under the law.
The special drive was launched following a recent Excise Department crackdown in Manipal, where cases were reportedly registered against the owners and managers of six pubs and bars after 88 persons below the age of 21 were allegedly found consuming alcohol. Gayathri said that while routine inspections are conducted regularly, this was the department’s first coordinated operation specifically targeting the sale and consumption of liquor by underage customers, and similar surprise raids would continue in the coming months.
As part of the enforcement measures, the Excise Department has directed all liquor licence holders in Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada district to strictly verify customers’ age through government-issued identity documents before serving alcohol. Warning boards stating that liquor must not be served to persons below 21 years of age have been installed at licensed establishments, along with notices cautioning against drug use on the premises.
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Officials also highlighted that frequent staff turnover in bars, pubs and restaurants makes continuous awareness and training essential. Establishment owners have been instructed to ensure that newly recruited employees are fully informed about age-verification requirements and liquor service regulations. During the raids, excise teams also checked certain establishments for suspected drug-related activities, but no drug violations were found.
The surprise inspection drive was conducted under the guidance of Dakshina Kannada Excise Deputy Commissioner Bindushree as part of the department’s broader efforts to strengthen liquor law enforcement, prevent underage alcohol consumption and improve regulatory compliance at bars and pubs across Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada district.
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