The Central Crime Branch on Thursday served show cause notices to 107 pubs, restaurants and discotheques that are allegedly hosting live performances illegally.
According to senior police officials, though these commercial establishments had sought permission, their applications had been rejected. “Yet, they continued to host live performances and run discotheques. Managements can run their restaurants, serve customers, and play recorded music as long as they adhere to decibel limits. However, discotheques and life performances are prohibited without prior permission,” said Sandeep Patil, joint commissioner of police (crime).
The CCB had intensified its crackdown on restaurants and pubs on the grounds that many were hosting illegal activities under the cover of organising live music performances. During a series of raids over the last few weeks, as many as 60 women employees were rescued.
Residents of several neighbourhoods, including Indiranagar, had taken up the issue with the police.
“There was a rise in the number of complaints from people in residential neighbourhoods who were worried about their safety and the presence of party-goers late at the night outside their homes. Noise pollution and drunken brawls were becoming the norm,” said a senior police officer.
Following protests at Indiranagar and other residential areas, the Police Commissioner had, in July 2018, asked the outlets to seek a permit from his office under the Licensing of Places of Public Entertainment Order, 2005. However, none of the pubs got a permit as the application for the same had to be backed by a list of eight documents, including Occupancy Certificate (OC) for the building to house a commercial establishment and an NOC from the Fire and Emergency Services.
Managements of the establishments said that they would have to let go of their staff and that the crackdown would render people jobless.
“Our focus is to contain the social menace and monitor law and order, and not help generate employment,” a senior police officer said.
Mr. Patil said that the drive will continue and has instructed the jurisdictional police to conduct regular checks.
Indiranagar residents, who have been at the forefront of the fight against pubs and restaurants, welcomed the move. “Finally, the city police seems to have acted as per law, something we had been demanding for years,” said Sneha Nandihal, a resident of Indiranagar who has been fighting the menace.
According to BBMP officials, most of the buildings in which these pubs and restaurants are housed violate zonal regulations. This effectively prevented anyone from acquiring a permit to play live music.
