Star hotels become dens for gambling

Staff feigns ignorance to protect brand image

Star hotels across the city are becoming ‘addas’ to carry out illegal activities. The recent raid on Marriott hotel at Tank Bund was just a tip of the iceberg. The police caught 36 persons for gambling at Marriott.

These hotels, owned by leading businessmen, are chosen by the organisers of gambling and flesh trade after conniving with the managerial staff for a cut.

Earlier, the police busted a prostitution racket after raiding two hotels — The Park at Somajiguda and Sitara Grand at Ameerpet. A few pimps were arrested while the police managed to rescue women from Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad who were forced into flesh trade.

The organisers informed the police that they feel safe in star hotels as they are owned by bigwigs.

“The rooms are booked via online portals and nobody knows the background of the person who books it. The guests provide the identity proof and occupy it,” said a task force official.

According to those in the hotel industry, the management seldom probes the guest as it amounts to humiliation and presents a bad image of the brand. “So they just ignore the activities unless they feel there is a threat to other guests or any nuisance on the premises,” he said.

DCP Shashidhar Raju said that they are issuing a notice to Marriott hotel for allowing such activities in three rooms. “We will issue the notice and seek an explanation,” he said.