Cops raid illegal pubs in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Most popular pubs in city operate illegally without permission. The establishments only have bar license, and are not permitted to have discotheques and DJs, and other dance programmes.

In a fresh crackdown, west zone police booked cases against as many as 6 pubs in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and Panjagutta, for bringing in DJs illegally and functioning beyond the permissible time limit, in the last two weeks.

In view of New Year, cops decided to go tough on these establishments. However, owners take police action casually since the charges pressed against them are not so serious.

“It is found that most pubs in our zone are running illegally without proper license. So, we started pressing charges against them.

A case has been registered against the managements of these establishment under IPC 118 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant),” said West Zone DCP A. Venkateswara Rao.

He added that only Over The Moon pub in Daspalla has the requisite license in West Zone. But, two cases were also booked against Over The Moon for operating beyond time limits in the last three weeks.

The other pubs which are booked by the police are Kismat in Panjagutta, Club Republic, Spoil, Air Cafe Lounge and Club Republic in Jubilee Hills.

Establishments need separate license and police permission to run a pub. However, more than 10 bar joints are claiming themselves as pubs with the Amusement license (rule 1995 GoMs 472) and attracting customers.

With the Amusement license, they can have music inside the club premises, however they are not allowed to conduct dance and other big musical events As per norms of Amusement license, voice level should not exceed 45 decibels indoors. However, many of the establishments flout these norms, officials said.

The city police are conducting continuous raids at posh clubs and bars in the city these days. However, management usually gets away by paying a penalty.