Eatery owner charged with selling liquor without a licence in Little India

An owner of an eatery was charged in court on Friday with selling liquor to customers without a licence.

Tan Suan Lee, 44, is accused of committing the offence at Prata City at Jalan Besar at about 9.30pm on Dec 21 last year.

Following the Little India riot on Dec 8, all liquor store owners have been banned from selling liquor in a restricted area during weekends and on eve of public holidays from Dec 14.

Tan, who was not represented, indicated that he would plead guilty.

The prosecution, however, applied for the case to be adjourned for a deputy public prosecutor to handle the matter.

The case is fixed for mention on Jan 8.

Since Dec 14, 32 persons have been issued advisories for drinking in public within the proclaimed area during prohibited times.

Police said in a statement that they will continue their heightened patrols in Little India to enforce the ban on alcohol consumption and the licensing restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

If convicted, Tan faces a fine of up to $5,000.

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