Distillery producing premium craft rum shuts down as LPG runs dry
Bengaluru (PTI): A craft rum distillery near Mysuru has temporarily shut its operations after failing to procure gas for its boilers, amid the ongoing LPG supply disruption triggered by the widening West Asia conflict, the unit's founder said.
Aruna Urs, founder of the distillery that produces Huli Spirits -- touted as India's first premium craft rum made from jaggery --announced the development on Thursday through his social media handle on X.
"Huli is closed from Monday as we are unable to procure LPG for our boiler. We had a public and a private supplier, and both managers categorically stated that the order from above is to only refill domestic canisters..." he added.
The premium, single-origin jaggery-based rum is produced at a micro-distillery located in Nanjangud taluk of Mysuru district.
Urs, however, did not mention how long the shutdown would continue.
Boilers are an essential component in the distillation process, and LPG is a critical component for the production.
Several small manufacturing units have been affected by the ongoing disruption caused by a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in the market.
As a result, many restaurants, hotels and catering services have either shut their kitchens or are operating under strain using the limited stocks available.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka court sentences man to 20 years for sexual assault of minor girl
Mangaluru (Karnataka)(PTI): A fast-track special court here has sentenced a 50-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor girl.
The convict, identified as Abubakkar, was booked by the Bantwal Rural police station in under Sections 64(1) (rape) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant section of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to police, the incident dates back to March 29, 2025 when the accused sexually assaulted the minor girl in his neighbourhood and threatened her from disclosing about it.
The case was investigated by then Police Inspector Shivakumar B, who collected the necessary evidence and filed a charge sheet against the accused before the court.
After hearing the case, the District and Sessions Court (Fast Track Special Court-FTSC-2) in Mangaluru last week found the accused guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison along with a fine of Rs 50,000.
Special Public Prosecutor Sahana Devi represented the prosecution and argued the case before the court.
Head Constable Prashanth Kumar and Police Constable Santosh Jadhav of Bantwal Rural Police Station assisted in the investigation and court proceedings, police said.
