Delhi's secret dance bar

If you thought this swank Vasant Vihar nightclub served just food and drinks, look again. A MiD DAY sting operation reveals it's a pick-up joint

If you have money to spare and plan to have a good time, head for Vasant Vihar this evening, where some popular nightclubs can get you both wine and women at reasonable rates with room for negotiation. All this, provided you have no qualms in breaking the law.u00a0


Kiss don't tell: A grab from the MiD DAY sting video


Shows glimpses of the clandestine sex racket at a popular
South Delhi nightclub

Vasant Vihar is considered one of the most upscale neighbourhoods in the Capital; it's a favourite hangout zone for youngsters. However, as night falls, there is a perceptible change in the ambience. Footfalls recede and cliques take over. You can see groups of girls, decked up in a manner with little room for modesty, walking down the lanes. MiD DAY tried to delve deeper into the veiled existence of these creatures of the night.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Join the fray
Two of our undercover reporters carried out a sting operation at one such discotheque named 'Bacchus' located in the Vasant Vihar main market. Though the signboard of the pub is prominently displayed on the front side of the building, the entrance is from the rear end. When our reporters tried to enter, they were stopped by three to four men standing nearby. "Rs 1500 each lagenge (you have to pay Rs 1500 each)," said one of the bouncers, holding one of the reporters by the arm.

After some bargaining, they allowed us a discount of 30 per cent. The duo paid Rs 2000 as cover charges, which entitled them to drinks worth Rs 800. However no receipts were issued. When our reporters asked for one, another man standing nearby said: "Everything here is verbal. We don't give anything in written. If you don't have trust on us, you may go."

Finally the reporters agreed to go in, taking their word. They were escorted by one of the men to the entrance of the discotheque located on the second floor of the building. On the way, the escort made a lucrative offer. "If you want, I can provide you drinks worth Rs 1500, but you will have to pay Rs 500 more for that." After negotiations, he agreed to increase the limit to Rs 1200 against payment of Rs 300 more.

Inside track
When the two reporters entered the club they were asked to take a seat. After a few minutes the man who had escorted them in, arrived with a piece of paper with Rs 1200 written on it. He handed over the slip and retraced his steps to the entrance.

A cursory glance is enough to reveal the kind of business run from the place. Both locals as well as foreign nationals frequent the joint. At one corner, a gang of 15-20 Nigerians were huddled together while another section was occupied by a group of 20-30 local girls. A bunch of foreign girls and transsexuals were sitting in another corner of the pub. As the drinks flowed, things started happening.

People who had had a few pints were offering drinks to the girls which were readily accepted. Some more liquor and the folks started getting more intimate. But everything has a price. The girls were seen bargaining with the men as relationships progressed one step at a time. Our reporters also offered a drink to one of the foreign girls sitting there. However, she refused instantly.

On insisting a bit more she agreed to have a bottle. Further conversation revealed that she is from Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, and is a regular visitor to the club.

While one of the reporters was busy extracting details, the other observed a man in his late twenties approaching a Nigerian. After a minute of conversation, he was directed to go to another Nigerian sitting at a different table. There he handed over a Rs 500 note and was directed to the previous guy, who took out a small packet from his pocket and passed it on. This was supposedly some kind of hard drugs popular with Indian customers here.

Going rate
Others were already in high spirits and could be seen dancing with the girls. When one of reporters asked a girl, who was sitting alone at a table, for a dance, she immediately asked for Rs 500, which again was negotiable.
When asked what protocol was to be followed during the dance she promptly said: "You can touch my body while dancing but just for 10 minutes. If you want, the time can be extended later, but only after paying Rs 200 more. If you want to take me out for a ride, it will cost you Rs 3000." However, the reporter rejected this offer and moved on from there.

By this time the first reporter had managed to win the confidence of the foreign girl sitting next to him. She agreed to go with him but was ready with some riders. "I will go only if you pay me for the whole night. My charges are Rs 10,000 to be paid in advance, and you can have intercourse with me only twice and that too only at my place."

Once again negotiations began. Sticking to all her other conditions, the girll agreed to reduce her full night charge to Rs 8000 which the reporter rejected. Giving up, she immediately moved to a nearby table where two Sikhs were sitting together. Bargaining began again.

As closing time approached, the number of girls inside started reducing steadily. But all of them had someone or the other to drop them off.

Rs 10,000 Amount charged by girls at the club for 'one night'
Rs 1,500 Entry fee per person at the pub
(all charges are negotiable)