Hic... cheers to Republic Day

Police booked 54 for drunken driving; offenders to appear before the local magistrate today

Traffic police caught 54 people across the city for drinking and driving on Republic Day, which happened to be a dry day.

Of the 54 booked, 39 were in the age group of 20-30 years. “It’s a pity that the young generation indulges in such activities even on Republic Day,” said deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Harish Baijal.

Thirty-three of the offenders were riding two-wheelers. Seventeen were driving cars. An autorickshaw driver, a tempo driver and two truck drivers were the remaining four caught with booze in their guts.

Police confiscated the driving licences of the offenders and fined them. They were also told to appear before the local metropolitan magistrate on Monday. The cops, according to sources, were planning to urge the court to take a stern stand as the offenders sullied the spirit of Republic Day.

“The sources from where the offenders managed to get alcohol on a day when the sale and consumption of liquor is strictly prohibited, should be found out. Strict action should be taken against those illegal sellers too,” a senior traffic branch officer told DNA.

Police were also weighing the option of booking the offenders under excise laws, because they consumed alcohol on a dry day, added sources.

Till date, more than 12,000 people have been booked for drunken driving by police in a special drive which started in June last year.
d_nikhil@dnaindia.net