Sitting amid the blackened remains of his home, 32-year-old Nikesh Gawali carefully broke open a half-melted plastic box with a screwdriver. His hands shook slightly, not out of fear, but out of hope. “I’m trying to find my daughter Aarti’s gold earrings,” he said quietly, still focused on the box. “She’s just five. I got them made recently after months of labour work.” The plastic box, warped and blackened by heat, was one of the few things left from his two-room house on the outskirts of Dhamangaon village . All around him lay ash, broken tin sheets and charred wooden beams. The walls had cracked under the heat and the front room’s tin roof had caved in completely. What remained was a blackened debris all around - almost nothing to suggest a home once stood there. Nikesh earns his living as an agricultural labourer, like many in the village. Work is uncertain and depends on the season. Those earrings weren’t just jewellery - they were a small dream, a reward for his hard work,...
After mounting complaints from residents and repeated incidents of disorder, the Bajaj Nagar Police have finally launched a strong crackdown on restaurants illegally serving liquor and allowing customers to drink on their premises without valid licences from the State Excise Department.
The crackdown was initiated against Jagdish Saoji, Chakna Restaurant, and Jack and Jill Restaurant for violating liquor laws. These establishments were found providing space for customers to consume alcohol without the required permissions. Police officials stated that such activities often lead to fights, noise pollution, and law-and-order issues which affect the safety and peace of nearby residential areas.
However, despite this action, many restaurants in Bajaj Nagar are still reportedly operating in a similar manner, openly offering liquor to customers. Locals have expressed concern and said it remains to be seen how strictly and consistently the police will tackle the problem in the coming days.
Volent quarrel at Farm house kitchen
The seriousness of the issue came to light last week when a violent quarrel broke out at Farm House Kitchen, another restaurant accused of serving liquor illegally. The fight erupted between customers and the restaurant management and quickly escalated. The clash was so intense that one man sustained a fracture. Following the incident, Bajaj Nagar Police registered an offence against the staff of Farm House Kitchen.
The Police carried out a massive operation between VNIT Road and Janata square. The drive targeted a wide range of illegal activities, including smoking in public places, traffic obstruction, illegal liquor transport, and drinking alcohol on the streets.
Liquor found in Thar SUV
During the drive, action was taken against 183 people under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, including offenders smoking in public places and cigarette vendors operating illegally. Sections 4, 6(b), 21, and 24 of the Act were invoked in areas between Janata Square, Kachipura, and VNIT Square.
Under the Mumbai Police Act (Sections 102, 103, and 117), ten people were booked for obstructing traffic on roads connecting Bajaj Nagar, Abhyankar Nagar Chowk, and RPTS Road. Police also registered a case against one person for illegally transporting liquor without a licence. During this action, foreign liquor worth Rs. 1.16 lakh and a Thar SUV valued at Rs 18 lakh were seized, taking the total seizure to Rs. 19.16 lakh.
Additionally, 21 people were booked for setting up illegal stalls on public roads, three were penalised for drinking alcohol on the streets, and six cases were registered for creating disturbances in public places. Police officials said such drives will continue to ensure public safety and discipline.
The operation was led by Bajaj Nagar Police Station Inspector Chetan Chauhan.
Excise Department’s Inaction for months
Despite clear and repeated violations by restaurants in Bajaj Nagar, the State Excise Department has allegedly turned a blind eye to the issue. Locals claim that no major action has been taken against these establishments for months and they are allowing illegal liquor service to continue openly.
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