shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > News > India News > Article > Mystery IAS officer tried to save Intl DJs Illegal event

Mystery IAS officer tried to save Int'l DJ's 'Illegal' event

Updated on: 07 October,2013 03:18 PM IST  | 
Priyankka Deshpande |

When police showed up at Penthouze Pub in Koregaon Park, where DJ Dash Berlin was performing yesterday, the venue owner ufffd who had failed to secure permission for the event ufffd allegedly tried to pressure cops by making them speak to an unidentified bureaucrat over the phone

Mystery IAS officer tried to save Int'l DJ's 'Illegal' event

What had started out as a night to remember for Jeffrey Sutorius aka Dash Berlin —recognised as the seventh most popular DJ in the world — and his fans in the city, swiftly turned into a nightmare. The show organised at Penthouze Pub, Mundhwa came to an abrupt end, leaving hundreds of music buffs high and dry, as cops pulled the plug on the performance.



Push pause: Jeffrey Sutorius aka Dash Berlin (in blue T-shirt) had to spend more than two hours at the local police station, facing questions about the nature of his visa. Pic/Sachin Thakare


Not only this. The famed musician had to spend more than two hours at the local police station, facing questions about the nature of his visa. Hours later, Dash Berlin tweeted, “Just to clarify I was questioned by the police as they needed to check my work visa was valid, everything was fine and I was free to go.” “I love India, no matter what!” he added minutes later.



Derejected: Dash Berlin (in blue), another associate, along with Nikhil Chinapa (extreme right) coming out of Mundhwa police station after spending more than two hours there. Pic/Sachin Thakare

The show was supposed to go on until 1.30 am, for which fans had shelled out about Rs 1,600 each. However, when INTUC president Rahul Mhaske and a few members of Youth Congress informed the police that the international artiste was performing at an event that did not have permission of the state home ministry, police stopped the show and took Dash and his associates, including VJ Nikhil Chinapa to Mundhwa police station around midnight. Chinapa’s company Submerge Music had organised the programme.

“It was the responsibility of the owner of the venue to get permission of the state home ministry before organising the international artiste’s performance in the city. The pub owner obtained approval only for Chinapa’s performance. When we raided the place, acting on the tip-off, we found Dash playing there, which was against the law,” said inspector Vishwanath Ghanavat of Mundhwa police station.

He added that while interrogating the DJ, police realised that Dash’s only mistake was he did not try to ascertain from the pub management whether or not they had acquired the go-ahead for holding the event.


Two unknown persons insisted cops to speak to speak to an'IAS' officer in a bid to stop cops from staliing the show. Pic/Sachin Thakare

“Dash told us that he was unaware about the rules. However, for breaking the law, we slapped relevant sections of Bombay Police Act, 1951 on him and Penthouze owner Kunal Mhaske,” said Ghanavat. Meanwhile, in an attempt to prevent the police from taking action, the pub management allegedly tried its level best to pressurise the cops.

MiD DAY found two young men from the establishment, who declined to give their names, repeatedly asking police officials to speak to an unidentified IAS officer over the phone. However, the constables refused to buckle under the pressure, refused to take the call, and went ahead with their duties.


INTUC president Rahul Mhaske (left) who informed the police about the event. Pic/ Sachin Thakare

One of the pub employees turned the phone’s speaker on, and this reporter heard the person on the other side shouting and insisting in Gujarati that the cops speak to him. When the constables refused, the employee present at the venue threatened the personnel, saying, “Bata deta hoon, IAS officer hai. Call lega ke nahi lega?”

When MiD DAY tried to contact owner of Penthouze Pub Kunal Mhaske, he disconnected the call after listening to the matter and then SMSed this reporter that he was busy.

DCP says
Zone IV DCP Manoj Patil said that ignorance couldn't be an excuse for not following the law. Patil said that the cops had informed the venue owner well in advance to get the permission of the state home ministry, as an international artiste was going to perform.

Music buffs disappointed
Baloo, who had come from Bangalore especially for the show, said that it was a huge disappointment when the event was stopped unexpectedly, and that he did not care what the reason was. Another fan, on the condition of anonymity, told MiD DAY that he had just entered the pub and purchased a ticket for Rs 1,600 when the curtains came down on the event. u00a0


Police outside the building where the event was held. Pic/Sachin Thakare

Dash Berlin @dashberlin: Just to clarify I was questioned by the police as they needed to check my work visa was valid, everything was fine and I was free to go.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK