In a recent crackdown for violating COVID19 protocols, Pune Police have sealed 18 hotels in the Hinjawadi area of Pimpri-Chinchwad area. These hotels were allegedly flouting lockdown norms by operating late till night and giving entry to the customers. These hotels were issued a notice earlier too and action was taken against these hotels under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). But these warnings went on the deaf ears and they were thinking themselves to be above the law. Keeping in view of clear cut violations from hoteliers, this time the Hinjawadi police took stringent action and sealed these hotels.
Earlier also, action was taken against these hotels under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC. They were also issued a warning by the police. However, this time the Hinjawadi police took stringent action and sealed these hotels.
There were many complaints from residents of the area and social media were also active to highlight the flouting of pandemic rules by these hoteliers. The Police took this matter to Revenue officials and updated them about non compliance of rules by these hotels. The Hinjewadi Police sought orders from the tehsildar on Monday, to teach them a lesson as per rule. After going through enough evidence about flouting of rules, Tehsildar issued a nod to initiate action against them. Soon after getting the nod, the police swung into action to teach them a lesson to the owners of these hotels. The police raided these hotels on Tuesday between 10.30 am and 3 pm, sealing 18 hotels.
The sealed hotels and restaurants includes Fortune Dining L.L.P alias Thikana Hotel, Yogi Hotel, Rude Lounge, Mufasa Hotel, Hotel Thekka Restro and Lounge, Hotel Ashoka Bar & Resto, Maharashtra Bhojnalaya, Hotel Green Park, Hotel Timo, Hotel Puneri, Hotel Aswad, Hotel Shivraj, Shree Chinese & Tandoor Point, Water-9 Multi Cuisine Restaurant and Lounge, Hotel Bottoms-up, Kavita Chinese Center, SP Family Restaurant, and Yash Karan Beer Shoppie.
Anand Bhoite,DCP Zone 2, Pimpri Chinchwad Police speaking to Mumbai Messenger Newspaper said, “The government has laid down certain rules and regulations during Covid19 and it is a duty of every hotelier and citizen to adhere to it. The Police will keep on initiating similar operations if anybody is flouting pandemic protocols. Hoteliers have to follow the government rules and COVID protocols and if they are found breaking the norms, their hotels will be sealed.”
Senior PI, Hinjewadi police station Balakrishna Sawant said, “A total of 18 hotels have been sealed by the police and the action has been initiated under section 188 of the IPC. The action will be a deterrent for others from making the same mistake”.
