Pune Bar Drug Video Leads to 14 Arrests; Investigation Intensifies

The number of arrests related to a viral video allegedly from a Pune bar reached 14 by Monday evening. Six waiters were apprehended by the Maharashtra excise department, officials stated. Earlier, police had arrested eight individuals and suspended four officers after discovering the bar operated beyond permissible hours.

Police launched an investigation following a viral video showing individuals with a drug-like substance at Liquid Leisure Lounge, also known as L3, on Fergusson College Road in Pune. The eight arrested individuals, including Santosh Kamthe, Vitthal Kamthe, Yogendra Girase, Ravi Maheshwari, Akshay Kamthe, Dinesh Mankar, Rohan Gaikwad, and Manas Mallick, were remanded in police custody until June 29.

Bar Operations Beyond Permissible Hours

The bar was operating until 5 am on Sunday, selling liquor beyond the allowed time limit. Bars and pubs in Pune are permitted to remain open until 1:30 am. The state excise department later suspended the licence of Liquid Leisure Lounge L3 and arrested six waiters for violating liquor stock norms. They were arrested under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act and remanded in custody until June 29.

According to police, Santosh Kamthe and Sachin Kamthe own the establishment and had contracted it to Utkarsh Deshmane, Yogendra Girase, and Ravi Maheshwari. Deshmane, Girase, and Maheshwari sold liquor past the permissible time. Akshay Kamthe organised the party while Rohan Gaikwad allowed patrons entry through the backdoor after hours.

Prosecution's Claims

The prosecution informed the court that social media revealed the accused provided narcotic-like substances to patrons at the hotel. They sought further investigation into this matter. It was found that social media was used to invite patrons to consume narcotics, alcohol, and smoke cigarettes at the hotel.

Police collected samples from L3's toilet for examination to check for narcotic substances. The samples were taken from the toilet commode cover as the video showed individuals consuming drugs there. Police also requested blood tests for the arrested individuals to determine if they had consumed drugs.

Further Investigations

Event manager Akshay Kamthe invited patrons to L3 via social media platforms and WhatsApp, accepting entry fees online and in cash. This aspect requires further investigation. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that eight individuals were arrested for operating beyond permissible hours on Sunday.

The arrested individuals face charges under Indian Penal Code section 188 for disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant and relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, Maharashtra Prohibition Act, and Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.

Suspensions and Public Reaction

An inspector, an assistant inspector, and two beat marshals from Shivajinagar police station were suspended in connection with the case. Earlier in the afternoon, members of right-wing outfit Patit Pavan Sanghatana allegedly damaged the bar's board, pelted stones at it, and broke plant pots outside.

Pune MP and newly-appointed Union minister Murlidhar Mohol posted on X about immediate suspension actions taken. He instructed the police commissioner to launch a dedicated drive against narcotics with separate manpower for it. Mohol emphasised searching all colleges, pubs, hotels, and other suspicious places with strict action.

The total number of arrests related to this case has now reached 14. The investigation continues as authorities aim to trace youths and a minor seen in the viral video.