Mumbai : Owners of dhabas, hotels, eateries, and highway-side beer and wine shops who openly serve liquor to customers without proper licenses are now in serious trouble. Those found serving alcohol without a valid license may face a fine of ₹50,000 or even up to 5 years of imprisonment.
The State Excise Department has launched a stringent crackdown on such illegal activities with a clear message: “No liquor consumption without a valid permit.” Many establishments are reportedly selling and allowing alcohol consumption under the guise of beer and wine shops, and in some cases, even serving spurious or counterfeit liquor.
This poses not only a serious health risk but also impacts law and order. To curb these illegal practices, the Excise Department has begun taking strict action. Importantly, the focus of the action will now be on the owners of these establishments, who will be held legally responsible. As a result, many dhaba and hotel owners are now in a state of panic.
The government has urged all dhaba and hotel owners to strictly avoid allowing liquor consumption on their premises without a license, or else be prepared to face legal consequences and court action.
The State Government is now actively enforcing legal provisions to prevent unauthorized liquor consumption, making it clear that consumers and owners will have to decide—eat at the dhaba, or drink—but not both unless it’s legal.
