Cops round up 100 youths from Mulund pub

Cops round up 100 youths from Mulund pub

On Thursday evening, 100 students were rounded up by the sleuths of Social Service Branch, in a raid conducted at Zero Degree pub at Nirmal Lifestyle in Mulund (West). Students included 65 boys and 35 girls.

The raiding party also arrested 10 staffers from the pub for serving liquor to youths without checking the permit.

The sleuths swung into action after a series of written complaints filed by local residents.

Confirming the raid, Joint Commissioner (crime) Rakesh Maria told MiD DAY that the students were from the vicinity. He said that the students held did not have the required alcohol permit.

Maria said that the raid conducted after local residents pointed out that students were bunking college and hanging around the pub, hence creating nuisance in the vicinity.

"The student will now be taken to the Mulund police station where they will be asked to pay a penalty under the Prohibition Act and will be released after recording their statement and a warning," Maria said.

Maria also hinted at taking stringent action against the pub owner under the Prohibition Act and the Shop and Establishment Act. The police will also verify his licences to run a pub and serve liquor.
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According to the shopkeepers at Nirmal Lifestyle, this is not the first time that the pub has run into controversy. "Many times, children under the age of 16 years have got drunk and created nuisance in the premise," a shopkeeper told MiD DAY.

Meanwhile, Dharmesh Jain, owner of Nirmal Lifestyle mall promised to taken action after conducting an inquiry. "We will terminate the lease of the pub if they are found guilty. I am not aware about the incident. We have set up high standards for the mall and will not allow such nuisance within the premises. We may not lease out shops to pubs in future."