Bar raided for 3rd time in six months

MUMBAI: The social service branch of Mumbai police on Friday raided a Santacruz (W) bar and arrested 27 persons, including the owner and manager, for allegedly indulging in indecent behaviour. The police rescued 11 bar girls, who were illegally dancing and soliciting customers even till 12.30 at midnightThis is the third time in the last six months that the Lakshwadeep Bar and Restaurant was raided.
What is baffled the social service branch is that despite so many raids, the police headquarters, which looks after the hotel and bar licences and various performance permits, has failed to suspend or cancel the bar's licence.
According to the police, if the police raid any beer bar that is found to have violated norms twice, the bar's licence is suspended for a particular period.
"We normally issues the owner a showcause notice and suspend his licence temporarily for a few days depending on the nature of the crime. He then either goes to the home department or Bombay high court and files an appeal and gives an undertaking such violations it will not happen again and gets the licence back," said an officer. He added that as this is the third time in six months, they have asked for previous records and will take strong action and ensure that the bar's licence is cancelled permanently.
Acting on the tip-off, the social service branch on early Friday at around 12.30 raided Laksha Deep Bar and Restaurant at Gajdarband at Santacruz west and arrested 27 persons including owners and manager and other staff. Police have rescued 11 girls from the bar and have seized Rs 60,030 . Police said that the bar which is visited by the upmarket where customers were seen throwing Indian currency notes on the bar girls.