Cops raid bar, get assaulted in return

Members of a special police squad were beaten up by the bar workers when they discovered a prostitution racket within its premises, senior inspector in hospital

Cops from the Commissioner of Police's Special Squad were allegedly assaulted by waiters and other staff members of the Sun-N-Sheel Restaurant and Bar in JB Nagar in the early hours yesterday, when the team, led by Senior Police Inspector Rakesh Sharma, was conducting a raid of the premises, after receiving wind of a rampant prostitution racket operating within the premises.

Sharma sustained injuries on his right leg, when he and other members of the team were allegedly assaulted with hockey sticks and other objects, in course of the raid.


Senior Police Inspector Rakesh Sharma recuperates at the
Mukund Hospital after he was thrashed by the bar owner in Andheri

The cops have arrested Lal Singh, the owner of the establishment, for assaulting and obstructing officers on duty. They have also arrested members of the staff.

"We had received information that the establishment was involved in prostitution, and had also employed underage girls. A team was sent to raid the place. Cops went to the hotel posing as customers, and were led to rooms situated in an obscure corner in the third floor.

They informed the raiding cops, who started making their way up. Realising that that they had been cornered, the women tried to flee, sliding down some wide pipes to the first floor.

As soon as the owner realised that the shady business had been exposed, they switched the lights off and attacked members of the team," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Western Region) Vishwas Nangre-Patil.

Patil added, "The staff descended upon the team members, almost in full strength. Senior Police Inspector Rakesh Sharma sustained severe injuries on his leg, and is presently receiving treatment in hospital," said Patil.

"We have arrested 45 men and six women, two of whom were underage, under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking (PITA) Act.
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The owner has been arrested for assaulting a public servant and obstructing officers on duty. We will take strict action against them," Patil said.