BENGALURU: In a first-of-its-kind case, city police have booked a pub in West Bengaluru for allegedly serving alcohol to a minor, following the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy. The teenager reportedly jumped to his death, allegedly driven by fear or guilt after consuming liquor at the establishment.
The Class 10 student allegedly jumped from the 7th floor of his apartment building on Dr Vishnuvardhan Road, Banashankari 5th Stage on Jan 31.
Police said the boy had attended his school farewell party on Jan 31. After the event, a group of 10–12 Class 10 students visited Legacy Brewing Company at Aditya Layout in Rajarajeshwarinagar, where they allegedly consumed alcohol and attempted to smoke to celebrate finishing school.
The boy reportedly became intoxicated and told his friends he did not want to return home, fearing punishment from his parents if they discovered he had been drinking. His friends eventually convinced him to go home, and one of them dropped him at his apartment on a two-wheeler. The friend accompanied him in the lift to the seventh floor, left him in the corridor, and returned, police said.
The boy reportedly lingered in the corridor for a few minutes before jumping from the balcony at 9.45pm. No suicide note was found.
Apartment security guards, who heard a loud noise, rushed to the spot and found the boy lying in a pool of blood. They identified him and immediately alerted his parents, who rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
His friends later told his parents that he had visited a pub and consumed alcohol before returning home. Medical examination confirmed that the boy was under the influence of alcohol.
Pub may face licence cancellation
Rajarajeshwarinagar police, after being informed, told senior officials that the boy had allegedly taken the extreme step out of fear of being caught or out of guilt over drinking. Senior officers instructed police to verify these claims and book a case against the pub if it is found that alcohol was served to a minor.
Deputy commissioner of police (West) Yatish N stated that during the course of investigation, police examined the case from various angles and found that on Jan 31, the minors consumed alcohol and smoked at the pub.
"For allowing minors to consume alcohol, a case has been registered against the owners and staff of the concerned establishment at Rajarajeshwarinagar police station under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Karnataka Excise Act," the DCP stated.
A police team visited the pub and confirmed that the boy and his friends had consumed alcohol there.
Deputy commissioner of police (West) Yatish N said police examined the case from multiple angles and found that on Jan 31, the minors consumed alcohol and smoked at the pub. "For allowing minors to consume alcohol, a case has been registered against the owners and staff of the establishment under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Karnataka Excise Act," he added.
Police have registered a separate case of unnatural death. Both cases were filed based on complaints by the boy's father.
"We wrote to the excise department seeking cancellation of the pub's licence. The staff should have exercised supervision and should have sent the boys out instead of serving liquor," a senior officer said.
Police added that, of late, minors illegally consuming alcohol or banned substances were found indulging in incidents such as road rage, assault and eve-teasing. "Keeping this in view, senior officers instructed us to register a case against the pub," police said.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or are in need of emotional support, call suicide prevention helplines: Tele-MANAS: 14416 or 1800-891-4416, SAHAI Helpline: 080-2549-7777.