One person died and four others were injured when their car rammed a stationery lorry in Kukatpally past midnight on Monday.
According to initial reports from police sources, the five had consumed liquor. The crash resulted in severe injuries and caused the death of 32-year-old Venugopal Chary who was seated in the front seat next to the person driving the vehicle.
Later in the day, Kukatpally inspector said the five persons were going to visit friends in Jagadgirigutta. The survivors were sent for examination to determine if they had consumed liquor.
Police maintain that there had been no significant increase in crime, mainly drunken driving, during the last one week, but insist the need to keep a vigil on processions. “While we can take action only if a person commits a crime, we cannot discount the fact that many would consume liquor before coming out for processions,” a senior official said.
Among the incidents that came to light on Monday was the case of a watchman who beat his wife in a drunken state after arriving home late on Sunday. According to police who patrolled around Kandiguda between Sainikpuri and Yapral, the man returned home from a procession and picked up a quarrel with his wife before assaulting her and causing grievous head injuries.
The police ordered all wine shops to be closed on Tuesday. The Commissioner of Hyderabad Police also prohibited consumption of liquor in public places for one week.