The tipplers in the state of Karnataka had taken a break from the social distancing norms and guidelines and have been rubbing the shoulders each other before the liquor shops to buy liquor as the retail and government-run outlets across the state had resumed the operations after remaining closed for more than a month. 

The long chain of people which was seen before the liquor outlets on the first day of re-commencing its operations had let the state government record the alcohol sales worth Rs 45 crore - the sequel of relaxing the restrictions amid the Coronavirus outbreak. Besides recording a Himalayan sale, the two customer bills have now let the state excise department to register a case against the vendors in Bengaluru for violating the license rules.

According to the reports, the two bills were reportedly exceeding Rs 50,000 each in value and the bills went viral on social media leaving the excise department to initiate legal actions. The First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Vanilla Spirit Zone in Tavarekere Main Road in Bangalore where a customer purchased liquor worth Rs 52,841.

The reports say that the retail outlets in Karnataka are not permitted to sell more than 2.3 liters of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) or 18.2 liters of beer to a customer per day, failing which it would be considered a violation. According to the bill, the outlet has sold 17.4 liters of IMFL and 35.7 liters of beer to a customer following which the FIR has been filed under the Karnataka Excise Act.

The Deputy Commissioner of the Excise department said that the outlet has violated the license condition and guidelines issued by the department to the retailers. The investigation is underway after the retailer stated that about eight people had purchased the liquor together and the value was roofed under one bill as the payment was made through a single debit card. The department asserted that further action will be taken.

On Monday, there was a similar incident from the city as another liquor bill of Rs 95,347 was shared on social media from the retail outlet in Bengaluru's Dollars Colony. The Excise department had iterated that all such cases would be investigated and actions would be taken against the violators accordingly, as the people throng outside the liquor shops by breaking the chain of social distancing.

On Sunday, the state excise department has issued the conformity that the state has recorded the sale of liquor worth Rs 45 crore, including a total of 8.5 lakh liter of IMFL and 3.9 lakh liter of beer on its first day. According to the state government, the retail and state-run retail shops would be functioning from 9 am to 7 pm.