The Delhi Police on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that it was not in favour of places like bars and restaurants serving liquor in the national Capital being permitted to remain operational till 3 AM.
The court was hearing a petition by the National Restaurant Association of India seeking directions to restrain Delhi Police from interfering with the operation and running of restaurants and bars till 3 am in terms of the excise policy.
Police counsel submitted before Justice Yashwant Varma, that the agency was "saying no" to the extension of timings of operations beyond 1 AM. In its report filed in case, the police stated that in the meetings of the joint consultative group, its officials objected to bars being permitted to operate beyond 1 am on several grounds, including that demography of Delhi has a "unique character", there are several offices and residence of importance and city has "reflected ugly and irresponsible behaviour of people under influence of alcohol late in night".
The report informed that women's safety was a big concern and given acute shortage of manpower in Delhi Police, operation timings of bars in restaurants and clubs should not be increased.
The report stated that it was suggested by police officials that since decision regarding increasing time for bars and restaurants was taken by Delhi government, the views of agency may be sent for re-consideration of timings by the competent authority.