Pub owner under police scanner for promoting ''Student Night'' event in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Jul 26: The Mangaluru city police have recommended that the Excise Department take action against a pub owner for the alleged promotion of a social media post inviting students to indulge in a liquor extravaganza entitled ‘Students Wednesday Night’, officials said on Friday.
The promotional poster of this event had gone viral on the social media.
According to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal, the pub’s promotional poster, which was circulated widely on social media, explicitly restricted entry to students with a valid college ID and offered complimentary drinks for female attendees.
Following the post going viral on social media handles, outrage ensued online, with netizens condemning the establishment for targeting students. Calls to revoke the pub’s permit gained momentum, while others defended the marketing strategy on legal grounds.
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Commissioner Agarwal quickly responded to public concerns by instructing the pub to cancel the event.
Additionally, he urged the excise department to take appropriate action against those responsible. In these matters only the Excise department can take action, the police said.
In a statement on Friday, the police chief said, “On July 25, 2024, it came to our attention through some posters being circulated via whatsapp that Hotel Lalbagh Inn in Derebail, Mangaluru (Liqour Lounge Bar) was promoting alcohol consumption to students and minors through messages on social media, offering certain discounts to them on a particular day."
This action constitutes a violation of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965 and the conditions specified under licensing provisions. Consequently, the Excise Department has filed an FIR against the pub owner under relevant section of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965.
For the said violation, the Excise department is the only authority empowered to file the case, Agarwal added.
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I have a chance to become CM of Karnataka, says Ex-Minister B Nagendra
Ballari (Karnataka), Oct 17: Congress MLA B Nagendra, who was released on bail in the multi-crore Valmiki Corporation 'scam' case, on Thursday said he has a great future as he too has a chance to become the Chief Minister of the state.
Reacting to MLA Janardhana Reddy’s statement that there were 18 criminal cases against him, Nagendra told reporters here that there are instances of people with 100 criminal cases becoming Chief Minister.
Nagendra resigned as the Tribal Welfare Minister after the Rs 89.63 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation came to light.
The Directorate of Enforcement had arrested him and he was released on bail after three and half months on Wednesday.
“Not just 18, but those with 100 cases became Chief Minister. In the coming days I too have a great future. If I work dedicatedly for the Congress, why shouldn’t I become the Chief Minister?” the former minister asked.
He said, “Didn’t Congress make an ordinary worker like me a minister? Congress has a tradition of honouring ordinary workers.”
On his meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said he explained to him about the irregularities in the Valmiki Corporation.
“In the last three months, I could not discuss with him anything. After my sudden arrest, I could not speak to him. I told him about the incident that happened,” Nagendra said.
Regarding the scam, the Congress MLA said the irregularities gave him immense pain because he and the state government want that not a single rupee should be allowed to go.
“We have recovered Rs 79 crore. Karnataka’s SIT is the only institution which has recovered 99 per cent of the amount. Only Rs three crore has to be recovered. We will not let go even a single rupee. We will not spare these thieves,” he said.
Questioning those accused of being behind the scam, he sought to know whether money was recovered from him.
“Has the money recovered from me? The SIT has given me a clean chit. After the SIT gave me a clean chit, they (BJP) were afraid that the Congress will regain strength in Ballari. Hence they decided to ruin me. However, the court took note of it and granted me bail. I will come out clean in this case,” Nagendra said.
According to him, he was targeted because he is a growing leader and the BJP was not able to tolerate him because he takes everyone along.
He accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the Congress government in Karnataka.
“When did BJP come to power on its own in Karnataka? Though we won 134 out of 224 seats in the assembly election, the BJP is trying to make petty attempts to destabilise our government.”
To a question will he would become minister again, Nagendra said the matter is left to the party high command.
“The court has granted bail. I am confident. It is left to the Chief Minister, high command and party president and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. Whatever decision they take, I will stick to it,” the MLA said.
