A day after cocaine was seized by Hyderabad Police Task Force at Pudding and Mink Pub at Radisson Blu Plaza, Banjara Hills, the Telangana Prohibition and Excise Department officials have suspended the license issued to the Plaza Hotel Restaurant and Bar. An order to this effect was issued by the department’s Deputy Commissioner (Hyderabad division) on Monday.
The Task Force sleuths who conducted the raid at around 1..40 am of April 3, found white powder on the bar counter in a plastic container used for holding straws. When tested, police confirmed that it was cocaine.
Earlier, the Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Srinivas Goud has directed Prohibition and Excise Director Sarfaraz Ahmed to cancel the pub and bar license of Pudding and Mink Pub under Section 31 of Excise Act for violations. He was responding to seizure of drugs from the pub in the wee hour of Sunday by the officials.
“We have held a meeting with the owners of pubs on January 31, 2022, as part of controlling drugs in the State and made them clear that there should not be any supply of drugs and the owners would be held responsible. We have also warned cancellation of licenses. As part of controlling drugs, the task force officials have conducted raids and seized drugs. These raids will continue and no one involved in the activity will be spared, how much big he might be,” said Mr. Srinivas Goud.
The Minister has directed the officials to keep an eye on the pubs and bars and act tough against those violating the rules.
In a related development, Balka Suman, Government Whip, has alleged that those involved in the pub activity are related to both BJP and Congress party leaders. “The pub is being run by a person Uppala Abhishek related to a BJP leader. The 24th name in the list is Pranay Reddy, who is relative of TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy. BJP and Congress leaders are demanding to hang those involved in the drugs activity. Now let them clarify whom to hang?” said Mr. Suman. He said that there are proofs for their allegations and some more names may come in the future after investigation was completed.
