Illegal pool party at city club raided, six arrested

LUCKNOW: Police raided a pool party at Zingo Club in Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) on Saturday, exposing the prevailing trend of illegal gatherings on the outskirts . The party organisers were serving liquor to nearly 200 youngsters who had gathered there after invitations sent via social media Most of youngsters belonged to affluent families, studying in different colleges and institutes of the city.

The raid caused a stampede like situation in the club and some of the youths fled after scaling the wall of the club, while others were taken into custody. Cops released the youngsters after collecting their details but arrested Akash Dixit, who had taken the club on lease, party organiser Tariq and four bouncers Shailesh Mishra, Upendra, Vivek Tiwari and Subash Pandey. They were booked for causing public nuisance and organising an event without proper permission.

Pratap Gopendra, additional superintendent of police (ASP), (Rural) told HT that the raid was a sequel to complaints of some locals regarding misbehaviour by bouncers of the club and visitors. He said the raid was conducted under the supervision of probation IPS Raees Akhtar.

He said the police initially had information of a rave party but no such element was found during the raid. But the party organisers were serving liquor without license . He said they did not even have permission for the gathering.

The ASP said the police would also write letters to the entertainment tax and excise departments to take further action in the matter. He said the club owner would also be sent notice for illegal gatherings being organised at the venue.

Sources said similar parties were frequently being organised in some more clubs and lounges in the city but police did not raid them due to the party organisers’ political and other high profile connections. The organisers charge d several thousand from youngsters for organising such events, they said.