How Hyderabad task force police found drugs at Radisson Blu's pub

Hyderabad: As part of the special drive being taken up by Hyderabad City Police on the activities of Pubs and Bars within the city on Sunday, Police received credible information that "Pudding & Mink" Pub at Radisson Blu Hotel on Road No.6, Banjara Hills, is running at 01:40 am with a huge crowd and some drugs are also consumed by some of the customers.

Upon receiving the tip, the Task Force along with local police raided "Pudding & Mink" Pub, at 02:00 am and found more than 100 persons consuming liquor on the premises. After further checking, five small packets containing white powder suspected to be cocaine were found in one of the plastic containers, which are used for holding drink straws on the Bar Counter in the custody of Hotel Manager Anil Kumar.

The Banjara Hills Police have filed a case under 8(c) 22(b) 29(1) NDPS Act against three people. Hotel Manager Anil Kumar and Abhishek Vuppala have been arrested. Arjun Veeramachineni is currently absconding. While a case has been registered at Banjara Hills Police Station, the investigation will be taken up by Jubilee Hills Police Station.

According to the Police, the Partners of the Pudding & Mink Pub allow only an elite selected few customers and their guests to have access to their Pub with the sole intention of earning money and they run the Pub till the early hours of 04:00 am. An App is being maintained wherein CODE is generated for each customer and the customers can have access to the Pub only by entering the CODE at the main entrance.

The 'list' sans Niharika Konidela

142 people were detained in the Banjara Hills Police Station on Sunday night. Telugu Actor Niharika Konidela and Singer, Big Boss winner Rahul Sipligunj were amongst those who were arrested. Most of those who were detained were held in the station overnight.

However, Niharika Konidela's name is missing from the list. She was spotted leaving the police station on Sunday at noon.

In a short video, Nagendra Babu, Niharika's father, came out in support of his daughter and said she was "clean". Nagendra Babu said the police took action against the pub as it was operating outside its stipulated timings. "According to the police, she (Niharika) is clear. The police have informed that Niharika has done nothing wrong," Nagendra Babu said. He requested social media and mainstream media to not spread any unwanted speculations. "Our conscience is clear," he added.

Of the 142 people names on the list, there are 37 people who are into business, 13 private employees, one student, and seven foreigners.

"There is no truth in a few media reports that Ashok Galla is among those arrested in the Rave Party busted at a Pub in Hyderabad," read a statement issued by Guntur MP Jayadev Galla's family. While Ashok is not on the list, his brother Siddharth Galla was detained during the raid.

Furthermore, 97 people have been listed as 'staff' including the manager, bartender, and several other people from Radisson Blu.

"Around 20-25 police officers detained everyone in the club. I am not aware of any drug supply in Radisson Blu and I have not consumed drugs," he said. Rahul said that he went to the club with his friends for a birthday party. "I am ready to take any test to prove that I didn't use any drugs and have no habit of doing so," he said adding that he previously participated in Drug Awareness Programs at Hyderabad Commissioner of Police C V Anand's invite.

Sunday's raid followed a month-long recce by the Hyderabad task force team. The cops reportedly found and seized banned substances (cocaine) on the pub premises.

'License to elite clubs authorizes them to operate 24 hours. However, if drugs are found in possession of the club, this will attract cancellation of the license. The Excise department will issue notices on Monday, a senior officer told NewsMeter.

SHO replaced

Inspector K. Nageshwar Rao, VR attached to the task force, has been transferred and posted as the SHO of Banjara Hills police station with immediate effect. He is replacing suspended inspector P. Shiva Chandra.

The deputy commissioner of police, task force, Hyderabad, has been requested to relieve inspector Rao immediately with instructions to report to his new place of posting.

Earlier, the Hyderabad commissioner of police, C.V Anand, had issued orders suspending the station house officer of Banjara Hills, Shiva Chandra, and issued a charge memo to the assistant commissioner of police, Banjara Hills, M. Sudarshan, for negligence towards their legitimate duties in the control of narcotics in pubs and bars.