Karnataka Outrage: Man Forces 3-Year-Old to Drink Alcohol at Belagavi Bar

Karnataka: Man forces 3-year-old to drink alcohol at bar; excise dept steps in

In one of the most disturbing incidents to emerge from Karnataka this year, a 3-year-old toddler was allegedly made to consume alcohol inside a bar in Belagavi district—sparking national outrage and swift intervention by the state’s excise department.

The Karnataka toddler alcohol incident has raised urgent questions about child safety, bar licensing compliance, and systemic enforcement failures. Locals, child rights activists, and officials agree: this is not just a lapse—it’s a criminal act with grave legal consequences.

Table of Contents

What Happened at Pritam Bar and Restaurant?

According to initial reports, the incident occurred at Pritam Bar and Restaurant in Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), a city in northern Karnataka near the Maharashtra border. Eyewitnesses say an elderly man—later identified as a local resident—brought a 3-year-old boy into the establishment and encouraged him to drink alcohol in full view of other patrons .

Disturbingly, staff at the bar reportedly did nothing to intervene. In fact, they allegedly served the man more drinks while the child was present—a clear violation of Karnataka’s strict liquor laws, which prohibit minors from entering licensed premises .

Photos and videos of the incident began circulating on social media, leading to public condemnation and calls for immediate legal action. Within 48 hours, the Karnataka excise department launched a formal inquiry.

The People Behind the Incident

The Elderly Man: Primary Accused

While his identity remains partially withheld pending legal formalities, the man is described as a local resident in his late 60s. He is accused of not only forcing the child to consume alcohol but also endangering his health and violating child welfare norms. Authorities believe he may be a relative or acquaintance of the toddler’s family—raising concerns about potential negligence at home .

Pritam Bar and Restaurant: License Under Scrutiny

The bar’s ownership and staff are also under investigation. Allowing a minor on the premises—and worse, permitting alcohol consumption in his presence—constitutes multiple violations of the Karnataka Excise Act. The establishment’s liquor license is now at risk of immediate suspension or cancellation .

This case involves overlapping legal breaches at both state and national levels:

  • Karnataka Excise Act, Section 57: Prohibits entry of minors into licensed liquor premises. Violation can lead to fines up to ₹10,000 and license revocation.
  • Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Section 75 criminalizes subjecting a child to intoxicating substances. Offenders face up to 3 years in prison and/or a ₹1 lakh fine.
  • Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 317: Abandoning or exposing a child under 12 in a dangerous situation—potentially applicable if parental negligence is proven.

Legal experts stress that intent matters. Even if the man claimed it was “just a sip,” forcing alcohol on a toddler constitutes endangerment under Indian law .

Karnataka Excise Department’s Immediate Action

Within hours of the incident going viral, the Karnataka excise department issued a public statement confirming it had “taken serious note” of the Karnataka toddler alcohol incident .

Key actions include:

  1. Suspension of the bar’s operating license pending a full inquiry.
  2. Filing of a formal First Information Report (FIR) against the accused man and bar management.
  3. Coordination with the Women and Child Development Department to assess the toddler’s welfare.
  4. Mandatory staff retraining on liquor laws for all bars in Belagavi district.

Officials have vowed zero tolerance for such violations, especially when children are involved. “No licensed establishment is above the law,” said a senior excise officer quoted in local media .

How India’s Child Protection Laws Apply

India’s legal framework offers robust safeguards for minors, particularly under the Juvenile Justice Act. Section 75 explicitly states that anyone who “gives intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs to a child” commits a punishable offense .

For context, similar cases in other states—such as a 2022 incident in Rajasthan where a man gave alcohol to a 5-year-old—resulted in 2-year prison sentences. Courts have consistently ruled that exposure to alcohol, regardless of quantity, constitutes harm.

To learn more about legal protections for children in distress, visit the Ministry of Women & Child Development, a high-authority source on child welfare policy in India.

Concerned citizens can also report suspected child abuse via the national helpline [INTERNAL_LINK:child-helpline-india].

Public and Social Media Response

The incident triggered widespread condemnation across platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp. Hashtags like #JusticeForBelagaviToddler and #BanPritamBar trended locally.

Child rights NGOs, including Bachpan Bachao Andolan, have demanded stricter bar inspections and community awareness programs. “A child doesn’t belong in a bar—ever,” said one activist in a press statement .

Meanwhile, some residents questioned how the child entered unnoticed, pointing to potential collusion or negligence by bar staff—a claim investigators are treating seriously.

Why This Case Demands Systemic Change

The Karnataka toddler alcohol incident is more than an isolated act of cruelty—it’s a warning sign. It reveals gaps in enforcement, staff training, and public awareness around child protection.

While legal action against the accused and the bar is essential, long-term solutions must include:

  • Random inspections of licensed premises by excise and child welfare teams.
  • Public campaigns on the dangers of exposing children to alcohol.
  • Whistleblower protections for patrons who report violations.

Every child deserves safety. And every adult—whether parent, bartender, or passerby—shares the duty to protect it.

Sources

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top