The excise licence of a night club situated inside the complex of five star hotel Shangri La’s — Eros has been suspended by the Delhi Government following various violations, including serving liquor to underage customers.
According to an official, the action was taken after a team of excise department recently made an inspection and found that three night clubs were operating against a single licence.
During the inspection, it was also found that three underage persons were being served alcohol following which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Connaught Place police station.
As per the excise rules, the legal drinking age in the national capital is 25 years. “Excise licence of the night club at Shangri- La’s Hotel was suspended by the excise department on May 30. All the three night clubs were sealed,” the official said, adding that notice has been served to the club management.
“Licence was initially taken in the name of Privee. Later name was changed to Privee Novel Exo. And against this single licence, three separate clubs namely Privee, Novel and Exo were being operated,” he said.
Responding to the government’s action, Shangri-La Hotel spokesperson said that ‘Privee’ pub is a privately managed entity, with separate entrance access and management staff.
“We are deeply concerned that the Privee Pub which is adjacent to Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi, had breached the law by serving alcohol to under-aged patrons on Sunday May 26, 2019,” said the spokesperson.
“Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi is not involved in any of the Pub’s operations. We strongly condemn such actions and we will raise the matter with all relevant parties to ensure stricter control and screening measures are in place to prevent a recurrence,” said the spokesperson.
However, one of the top officials in the excise department said that the L-16 licence is given to a restaurant or club inside a 5 or 4 start hotel only.