Flouting curfew: Celebs defend themselves, say they were 'unaware'

Hours after the government imposed night curfew from Tuesday the police caught 34 people including former cricketer Suresh Raina Sussanne Khan and singer Guru Randhawa partying at a posh clubnear the international airport The celebrities who were busted at Dragonfly Club around 230 am were booked under the Indian Penal Code the National Disaster Management Act and the Bombay Police Act for flouting COVID guidelines and not maintaining social distancingGuru RandhawaSources said rapper Badshah was also present at the club but he managed to slip out through the rear gate A few pictures purported to be from the party surfaced on social media on Tuesday Police sources said they will verify the photos before taking any action against the popular rapper who did not respond to calls and messages from midday A few women who also tried to escape in a Mercedes were stopped by the policeSuresh RainaThe sources said there were many highprofile people at the time of the raid but their names are yet to be released by the police While Sussanne and other women were allowed to go after being handed notices the men were arrested and were later granted bail Raina and Randhawa said they were unaware of the latest restrictionsThe police carried out the raid at Dragonfly Club above at 230 am Action was also taken against seven staffers PicAtul KambleldquoIn the view of the new strain of COVID19 the government has announced night curfew after 11pm Pubs and clubs were supposed to be shut as per the guidelines The raids were conducted and 27 customers and 7 staffers were found inside a club The females were allowed to leave after notices were served to them and the others were arrested and given table bailrdquo said Joint Commissioner of Police Viswash Nangare PatilThe government has announced the curfew from 11 pm to 6 am till January 5 to keep the coronavirus pandemic in control amid emergence of a fastspreading strain in the UK The curbs do not restrict the public movement or essential servicesRainarsquos defenceA statement on behalf of the former cricketer said he was in the city for a shoot which extended to late hours He was invited by a friend for a quick dinner before he was to fly back to Delhi ldquoHe was not aware of the local timings and protocols Once pointed out he immediately complied with the procedures laid out by the authorities and regrets the unfortunate and unintentional incident He always holds rules and laws laid down by governing bodies with the highest regard and will continue to do so in the future as wellrdquo it saidlsquoUnintentionalrsquoThe singerrsquos team said he was out for dinner and was to return to Delhi in the morning It said Randhawa ldquodeeplyrdquo regrets the unintentional incident The team said ldquoUnfortunately he was not aware of the local authoritiesrsquo decision of night curfew but instantly conformed to all rules He promises to compile with government guidelines and protocols by taking all precautionary measures in the future By far he has been a lawabiding citizen and will continue to be onerdquolsquoHad to wait for three hoursrsquoSussanne Khan said she too was out for dinner They were made to wait for three hours she said on Instagram ldquoWe were finally allowed to leave at 6 am Therefore the speculation by parts of the media that there were arrests made are completely incorrect and also irresponsible I fail to understand why we were made to wait or what the issue was with the authorities and the club I am setting the record straight with this statement I have utmost regard amp respect for the Mumbai Police and for all their selfless efforts in keeping us Mumbaikars safe Without their constant vigilance for public welfare we would not feel saferdquo34No of people booked at the club