The Chennai Police Commissioner has issued a comprehensive order to all police stations across the city, mandating strict enforcement of TASMAC operating hours and laying down a sweeping set of directives covering crime control, public conduct, and policing standards. The order, circulated on 17 May, signals a firm push to tighten liquor regulation and improve law and order management across Chennai.

Liquor Sale Timings and Enforcement

Under the directive, all FL1 category liquor outlets — including TASMAC and Elite TASMAC shops — must shut operations by 10 pm without exception. FL2 establishments are bound by the same 10 pm deadline, while FL3 outlets must adhere to their designated closing time of midnight.

Officials have been instructed to ensure that liquor sales occur only at authorised locations and strictly within prescribed hours. The order explicitly prohibits 'loose selling' of liquor — the practice of dispensing alcohol outside licensed packaging or premises — and makes clear that violations will invite action against the monitoring officers themselves.

Patrol teams — including regular patrol units, gypsy patrol vehicles, additional patrol teams, and sector beat officers — have been directed to monitor compliance closely and upload photographic evidence of enforcement measures to designated police groups.

Crime Control and Case Management

Assistant Commissioners of Police have been directed to carefully vet cases recommended under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (Goondas Act), proceeding only in matters capable of withstanding scrutiny before advisory committees and the High Court.

The order sets firm timelines for investigations: murder cases must not remain pending beyond 90 days, and cases involving identified rowdy elements must be pursued systematically to secure convictions. Police have also been asked to profile narcotics offenders flagged through ANIU alerts and expedite charge sheets in commercial-quantity NDPS cases within 60 days based on available reports.

Strict timelines have been set for POCSO cases, while matters related to SC/ST communities are to undergo periodic reviews to ensure progress.

Patrol Duties and Public Conduct

Police personnel — excluding sentries and station writers — have been instructed to carry out patrol duties in crowd-prone areas from 6 pm onwards. The Commissioner stressed the need for courteous treatment of the public at police stations, warning that strict action would be taken against any personnel found harassing complainants.

This comes amid broader concerns about public confidence in urban policing, with the directive explicitly calling for clean police station premises and disciplined, efficient conduct as non-negotiable standards.

Significance of the Order

The directive is notable for its breadth — going well beyond routine liquor regulation to encompass investigation timelines, narcotics enforcement, and officer accountability. Notably, the Commissioner's decision to hold monitoring officers personally liable for violations marks a sharper accountability mechanism than typical standing orders. Whether consistent ground-level enforcement follows the directive will be the real measure of its impact.