The undercover cops of the ranks of deputy commissioner of police and assistant commissioner of police would submit a report to CP Ravinder Singal detailing violation of safety and licencing norms.Women officers were part of the overnight drive.
Senior cops posing as customers collected information and evidence at pubs and lounges till their closing time. The cops even paid the entry charges and joined revellers partying on the weekend. They drove to the pubs and lounges in private vehicles and collected information from the parking lot too, said sources, adding the evidence would be presented before court and revenue authorities for cancellation of licences.
During the periodic police-management meetings on security issues, the pub and lounge managements have always denied any violation of norms. While reacting on the Pune accident, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had told media that pubs and lounges are supposed to verify age of customers before serving them liquor. He had also stressed on installation of CCTV cameras to such catch any type of violations.
The teenager involved in the Pune accident had walked out of a pub before mowing down two techies with his Porsche car. Sources said that the top pubs and lounges that are now under scanner had deployed ‘watchers’ and installed CCTV cameras at entry and exit points to get alerts regarding city police raids. As soon as they get hint of any police action, managements of the pubs and lounges quickly conceal the hookah pots and other illegal materials, said sources.
Singal said a long-term plan is being drawn to rein in pubs and lounges. “We have already taken action on 7-8 pubs, lounges and restaurants. More action is in the offing along with proposal to cancel their licences,” said the top cop.
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