Nagpur: Following Ambazari police registering a case against the owner of Illusions (Blue Leaf ) Beer Bar for allowing teenagers to consume liquor with hookah, the Nagpur police have ordered closure of the pub for a month. The police had rescued 11 teenagers during the raid.
Following the media reports, Nagpur police are set to launch a special drive against pubs and hookah parlours violating norms and creating danger for customers. However, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and other departments have not taken any major action against these places in the city.
On Friday, March 31, night ACP Nilesh Palve raided the Illusions Pub after receiving information that liquor was being served to underage people. Several such persons were found enjoying liquor in the pub. The accused bar owner was identified as Gaurang Shiksharthi (40), a resident of Khare Town, Dharampeth.
According to police, the beer bar owner allowed teenagers to consume liquor and smoke hookah. The legal drinking age for wine and beer consumption is 21 years and for hard liquor, it is 25 years in Maharashtra. Ambazari police raided the bar and rescued the teenagers .
A police official said that the bar owner was charging more than Rs 1,500 for a pot of hookah. An offence was registered under Sections 188 of IPC read with Sections 82 and 18 of Maharashtra Prohibition Act, section 129 Maharashtra police act and section 25 Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Similarly, a fight had broken out at Lord of The Drinks pub over entry of customers. Bajaj Nagar police have even now taken any action in this connection. Reports had exposed such incidents and had pointed out that violations at pubs and hookah parlours can lead to mishaps and endanger lives of people.