A pub in Hyderabad's upscale Banjara Hills area was raided on Saturday night and over 140 people, including 40 women, were arrested for obscene dance performances. The pub has been sealed by the police.
The pub allegedly employed women from various states to perform obscene dances to attract male customers and increase profits. The police team, headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Venkat Ramana, conducted a raid on the pub as part of a crackdown against illegal activities in the city, police said.
"We conducted a raid on Road No. 3 last night and took 100 men and 40 women into custody for illegal activities at the pub, which we have sealed," Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Venkat Ramana told ANI.
"Cases were filed under various sections, and those booked include the pub’s owners, bouncers, DJ operators, and others," the ACP added. Charges include Section 420 (cheating), Section 290 (public nuisance), and Section 294 (obscene acts and songs).
Last month, the Excise Department and the Telangana Narcotics Bureau (TGNAB) conducted raids at five pubs in Hyderabad. The operation, which targeted pubs in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Madhapur and Gachibowli, resulted in the arrest of four individuals on drug charges, the department said in a statement.
The raids, conducted under the supervision of Excise Enforcement Joint Commissioner Mohammed Qureshi, involved the use of state-of-the-art drug detection kits provided by TGNAB. During the raids, 33 suspects were tested using drug detection kits, and four individuals tested positive. Among those arrested was a minor who was served liquor at a pub, and a DJ was found to be under the influence of drugs.