Pune Bar Bust: Eight Arrested, Four Police Officers Suspended

A bar in Pune was found operating beyond permissible hours, leading to the arrest of eight individuals and the suspension of four police personnel. The probe began after a viral video showed illegal activities at the bar. The authorities seek to trace and investigate customers involved.

Eight persons were arrested and four police personnel suspended after a bar in Pune was discovered operating beyond permissible hours, a law enforcement official confirmed on Monday.

The investigation was initiated following a viral video that appeared to depict individuals with a drug-like substance at the bar on Fergusson College Road in Pune, Maharashtra. The court remanded the eight individuals, identified as Santosh Kamthe, Vitthal Kamthe, Yogendra Girase, Ravi Maheshwari, Akshay Kamthe, Dinesh Mankar, Rohan Gaikwad, and Manas Mallick, into police custody until June 29, as stated by the official.

The prosecution referenced the viral video in court, asserting that social media evidence indicated the accused had provided narcotic substances to patrons, driving the need for further investigation. Initial findings suggest the accused used social media to invite customers to the bar for consuming illegal substances, alcohol, and cigarettes. Police seek to identify and investigate the youths and a minor seen in the video.

On Sunday, the bar reportedly operated until 5 am, exceeding the lawful closing time of 1.30 am for bars and pubs in Pune. Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar disclosed that the eight individuals, including owners and employees of Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3), were apprehended for violating legal time constraints. The arrested parties face charges under Indian Penal Code section 188 and relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, Maharashtra Prohibition Act, and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.

Consequently, four police officers from Shivajinagar police station, including an inspector, an assistant inspector, and two beat marshals, were suspended for their involvement. Earlier, members of the Patit Pavan Sanghatana, a right-wing group, allegedly vandalized the bar's property in an afternoon protest. Pune MP and newly-appointed Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol announced on X that a robust anti-narcotics drive will be launched, with searches conducted in suspicious places, including colleges, pubs, and hotels, to curb drug availability in the city.