The Pune civic body on Tuesday demolished an “unauthorized” structure inside a bar linked to alleged drug use, while police filed a case against its owners, a day after the Maharashtra government ordered a crackdown against buildings that violate city rules, the news agency reported. PTI.
According to a statement by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a 125 square meter unauthorized structure inside the Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3) bar on Fergusson College Road was razed as part of a campaign launched against over 20 establishments, including pubs, restaurants and dining rooms. in the city for violating norms, PTI reported.
The action was taken after it came to light that some internal changes had been made within L3 in violation of regulations, the statement said.
The pub was in the news after a viral video showed young people with some drug-like substance on the premises.
According to the police, L3 was operational until 5 a.m. on Sunday and liquor was sold beyond the permitted hours. Pubs in Pune can remain open till 1.30 am, PTI reported.
In a related development, police on Tuesday registered a case against L3 owners Santosh Kamthe and Ravi Maheshwari under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act for allegedly constructing the unauthorized structure inside the facility , PTI reported.
Police said PMC construction department officials visited L3 and found that a bar counter had been built on the first floor, which was an unauthorized structure.
“PMC officials razed the unauthorized structure. Further, an offense under relevant sections of the MRTP Act was registered against the owners of the pub,” according to a police officer, PTI reported.
The building department of the Pune civic body has taken action against over 20 establishments, including pubs and restaurants, and demolished unauthorised structures measuring 36,845 sq m, the statement said, PTI reported.
Amid the Pune pub case, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday spoke to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and directed him to initiate strict action against illegal pubs and pull down all structures. that violated the city’s building regulations.
Police arrested eight people, including an event organiser, and suspended four police officers in the Pune bar case after the L3 pub was found operating beyond the permitted time limit. Additionally, the state excise department arrested half a dozen L3 bartenders for allegedly violating rules related to serving alcoholic beverages.
The police, investigating the Pune bar case, collected samples from L3’s bathroom and sent them for examination to check for the presence of narcotic substances.
(With contributions from PTI)
