Case against shopkeepers for selling intoxicants to minors

Bhopal: The Bag Sewania police on Monday registered a case under the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act against shopkeepers for allegedly selling alcohol, cigarettes and gutkha to minors. The case was registered following the investigation into the murder of a 26-year-old man by intoxicated minors. During counselling, it was revealed that the minors had purchased alcohol, cigarettes and gutkha from local shops near RRL trisection.Investigation officer SI Gangaram Verma said that the deceased, Gajendra Yadav (26), a resident of Arvind Vihar Colony, hailed from Dindori. He worked in a private firm. On the night of Sept 6, Gajendra had gone to Rajabhoj Trisection with his uncle to buy some items. While his uncle was shopping, Gajendra sat near an optical shop. At that time, a group of about half a dozen minors, who were returning from a friend's birthday party, arrived. A dispute broke out between one of the boys and Gajendra, leading to the group attacking him with knives. Gajendra's uncle, Raj Yadav, rushed him to AIIMS hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. Following the incident, the police arrested the minors involved in the crime.SI Verma said that during counselling, one of the minors admitted to purchasing beer from a liquor shop and also buying cigarettes and gutkha from a nearby grocery shop owned by Rishikant Sahu. Based on this information, the police have registered a case against Rishikant Sahu under the JJ Act for selling intoxicants to minors. The identity of the liquor shop employee has not yet been determined, but once confirmed, they will also face charges. Further investigations are ongoing.