BANGALORE: For anyone who is wondering whether the recent crackdown on a party at a farmhouse in Tavarekere was a case of gate-crashing by the law, here is some news. Partying and celebrating in a private place, with or without alcohol is not ‘wrong’ according to the law of the land. Provided you are partying with friend/family members. The good news is for such partying, you need not obtain prior permission from any authority.
And now for the fine print. If there is a sale of liquor or if tickets are issued for the purpose of this ‘party’, then you might just have a brush with the law -- if you do so without prior permission from the police. And if the party entertains drugs and obscenity, then this spells trouble with a capital T.
“If there is a sale of liquor or tickets issued for the purpose, the police will definitely act according to the law,” A R Infant, Additional Director General of Police (L&O) of the State said.
“People are free to celebrate by gathering at farmhouses or in the lobbies of their homes. But if they party in public places, they need to take prior permission,” he added.
WHAT HAPPENED
An officer informed that 101 people were arrested from the venue of the Saturday night party in Tavarekere. “The organisers were selling liquor through tickets. There were also allegations that some of the revelers were found in an objectionable state. The music played out through loud speakers disturbed the neighbours. So, the police had to arrest them,” he said.
NO CURFEW, BUT...
“There is no time limit for any party/ get-together or functions, unless it attracts the Police, Excise and NDPS Acts,” an IPS officer said.
The police can instruct the party-goers to clear out if they receive complaints from neighbours before taking legal action. “And if people disobey the police, then they will be arrested,” he said.
checklist
If the party is purely private and no commercial motive, there is no need to take permission.
If entry for such parties is a paid one then it attracts the Police Acts and need to take permission from the jurisdictional police.
There should not be “pool partying”.
There is no dress code for parties unless the dresses exhibit obscenity as per order of Supreme Court.
Use of loud-speakers is not allowed.
No inconvenience should be caused for public/ neighbours.
There should not be any immoral activities like girls serving alcohol, ragging
ACTING UP
If liquor is on sale : Excise Act
Presence of drugs: NDPS Act
Obscenity: Police Act