Cops summon Hotel Janpath manager

MiD DAY had reported yesterday how a person who had allegedly been thrown out of the bistro had claimed in an FIR that 'vulgar activities' were going on at the joint

MiD DAY had reported yesterday how a person who had allegedly been thrown out of the bistro had claimed in an FIR that 'vulgar activities' were going on at the joint

Following MiD DAY's report, Delhi police summoned the General Manager of Hotel Janpath on Monday. A man who was allegedly thrown out of fashion designer Rohit Bal's bar, situated inside the hotel, has lodged an FIR claiming that the outlet is a pick-up joint and cops are hand-in-glove with the management.

Care for a drink? Masood Pracha, the complainant, has alleged that he
was thrown out of Cibo for staying beyond 1 am. representative pic

Masood Pracha, the complainant, has also alleged that while he was thrown out of the joint at around 1.30 am for overstaying, the bar routinely remains open till much later. Police wanted the GM of Hotel Janpath to furnish a written reply on the whole matter.

"GM of Hotel Janpath furnished a letter that they don't have any role in this connection. He said that the management of Cibo bar could answer for keeping the place open till 3 am," said a senior police official wishing anonymity.

He added that Hotel Janpath officials are not in favour to shielding Cibo and they told the police that they did not know that liquor was served at the joint even after 2 am. Meanwhile, Alok Aggarwal, co-owner of Cibo, accused the police of defaming the bar and helping the accused.

"Police officials have been harassing us since the incident. Everyday a police constable is sent by the Connaught Place police station, who asks irrelevant question, as if we have committed a crime," he alleged.
"But all this while, we have been suffering silently," Aggarwal emphasised.u00a0u00a0
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Police officials denied these allegations and said that since an FIR has been registered, a constable goes to check whether the bar has closed on time or not.

WHAT'S THE FUSS?

Daryaganj resident Masood Pracha has claimed in an FIR that the high-profile Cibo bar in Connaught Place's Hotel Janpath is a pick-up joint. The matter gains significance because the owner of the establishment is renowned fashion designer Rohit Bal.
According to his FIR, a copy of which is with MiD DAY, Masood had gone to the bistro on the night of October 22. "He said that he went to Cibo at around 1 am. He paid Rs 2000 for a drink but before he could consume it, the manager of the bar Subroto Das asked him to leave. Masood objected saying that why was he served liquor worth Rs 2000 if the bar had to be closed. But the manager did not listen to him. When Masood insisted on finishing his drink inside the bar, he was beaten up and thrown out by the management," said a police source.
Masood has also alleged that the girls offering drinks to the customers were making suggestive gestures. He also claims that there was an assemblage of girls outside the establishment and it seemed like a pick-up joint.