Kochi : City Police conducted a surprise inspection at a star hotel in Kochi in connection with a DJ party as part of Operation Toofan.
Earlier, the five-star hotel at Elamkulam had moved high court challenging the police notices restricting DJ parties on its premises on the ground that the state govt, by notification, had permitted classified five-star hotels holding FL-3 licences to operate their bars till 3am. However, the city police contended that the notification extending the operating hours of FL-3 bar hotels cannot be construed as conferring an unrestricted right to conduct activities prejudicial to public peace, law and order, or public safety, including DJ parties.
Police said in an official statement that Kadavanthra Police registered a case alleging that the hotel conducted a DJ party and sold liquor after promoting and circulating advertisements that allegedly encouraged the consumption of alcohol, in violation of the hotel’s licence conditions. Police said the hotel has not received a favourable order so far permitting it to conduct such DJ parties. The programme had been organised after its notice was circulated through social media. The police also seized the equipment used for the DJ event. This was the first action after city police commissioner R Nishanthini assumed charge. The inspection was by the Dansaf team led by narcotics cell assistant commissioner Ananthalal A, along with Kadavanthra SI Harikrishnan. The police commissioner had then submitted that the provisions of Kerala Police Act are applicable to DJ parties, as such commercial events attract large crowds and carry the potential to create public nuisance, disorder and law-and-order issues, thereby justifying restrictions beyond 11pm as a preventive measure to ensure public safety and tranquillity.