Nagpur: City’s outskirts have become hotspots for illicit night parties involving drugs, alcohol, and luxury indulgences, often organized at farmhouses and resorts. Despite being openly promoted on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram law enforcement agencies, including the cyber cell, have failed to take proactive action, raising serious questions about their effectiveness.
A recent crackdown by Unit 5 of the Crime Branch on March 14 exposed the scale of these unlawful gatherings. Acting on a tip-off, the police raided Four Line Dhaba (FLD) on the Jabalpur-Hyderabad Outer Ring Road, where an unauthorized party was underway. The raid led to the apprehension of event organizers Ashish Devendra Tiwari, Nilesh Mahesh Rokde and Sunil Manik Gautam under the Prohibition Act. The accused had booked the venue through FLD’s owner, Arif.
Defying Police Orders, Organizers Proceeded With the Event:
Reports suggest that the organizers had initially sought permission from Wathoda police for the Holi party, but their request was denied. Despite this, they went ahead with the event illegally. Investigations indicate that these individuals have a history of hosting similar parties in the past.
These clandestine gatherings often feature foreign women, unlimited alcohol, and luxury arrangements, making them a lucrative but unlawful business. Many such events reportedly continue unchecked, with law enforcement acting only when tipped off by rival groups. In other instances, allegations suggest that bribes influence police inaction.
Lack of Oversight by Rural Police and Cyber Cell:
Most of these farmhouses and resorts fall under rural police jurisdiction, where authorities appear disinterested in taking preventive measures. Even after denying permission for the Holi party, Wathoda police failed to issue a strict warning or keep the venue under surveillance.
Additionally, despite the event being openly promoted on Facebook, Nagpur’s cyber police, who claim to monitor social media for illegal activities, failed to intervene. This lapse raises concerns over their effectiveness in tackling digital promotion of unlawful gatherings.
This incident underscores the urgent need for a more proactive and efficient policing system to curb illicit activities flourishing in Nagpur’s outskirts. Authorities must strengthen surveillance, enforce stricter regulations, and hold violators accountable to prevent the city from becoming a hub for illegal night parties.
