The Delhi Police has arrested three persons, including the owner of a restobar in Vasant Kunj area of South Delhi, and booked them under the Excise Act and disobedience to Government rules for serving alcohol to over 100 people after 1 am, the stipulated time for all restobars and restaurants in the city to shut down. Five police personnel, including the Sub-Inspector have been suspended for allowing rules to be flouted.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the South district police was aware that a party was going to be organised at the restobar after the bar displayed an invite on its website and on Facebook. An enquiry has been ordered and ACP rank officer was asked to submit a report on the whole incident. A senior police officer said that the arrested persons have been identified as the owners — Prateek Choudhary, Amit Nagpal and Surendra Sherwata.
They have been booked under Sections 188 of IPC, 42 Excise Act, 28/112 DP Act and 32/113 DP Act. The disc jockey was also detained. “The arrest was made on Friday after police received information that a party was on at the Billionaire Club in Kishangarh, Vasant Kunj at 2 am and that liquor was being served to persons below the age of 25 years. “After receiving the information, a raid was conducted and 100 people were detained, including 15 below the age of 25. A medical examination was conducted and all sent home after counseling by a local NGO,” the officer added.
Initial investigation also revealed that the club has earlier been issued challans on two occasions for not displaying their licence. “At the time of the raid, the owners were not able to produce any valid licence documents, nor were there any licence documents displayed, contrary to Government rules,” the officer added. Meanwhile, five police personnel, including SI Pawan, HC Surender, Constable Kapil, Constable Maneesh and Constable Madanpal have been suspended and sent to district lines.