In a significant crackdown, Hyderabad Police revoked the licenses of four prominent pubs in Banjara Hills on Saturday. These pubs were allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices by hiring women to flirt with intoxicated male customers, encouraging them to run up inflated bills.
The police have identified a fifth pub involved in similar malpractices, which is expected to be shut down soon.
The police's swift action follows a raid on the Tales Over the Spirit (TOS) pub located on Road Number 3, Banjara Hills, on Friday night.
During the raid, more than 40 women were arrested for performing obscene dances, while 100 male customers were detained for participating in or observing the inappropriate acts. Some of the patrons were caught showering money on the dancers.
Charges were filed under various sections, including public nuisance, obscene dancing, deceiving individuals, and criminal conspiracy, as per sections 290, 294, 188, 318, and 120B of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act.
The pub owners, Srinivas Goud and Balram Goud, were also arrested and accused of orchestrating the scam.
How the Scheme Worked
According to police sources, the pub owners hired young women from modest backgrounds in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and northeastern states, promising them free liquor, food, and a cut of the inflated bills. These women pretended to be IT professionals or students to lure unsuspecting male customers.
To enhance their deceptive act, the owners provided these women with high-fashion outfits and smartphones, helping them blend in with the crowd.
Some of these women even reached out to potential victims via social media, enticing them to visit the pubs. Once the men were in the pub, the women would sit with them, engage in conversation, and encourage them to consume large amounts of alcohol.
Customer Complaints
One such victim, Sachin Agarwal, a jeweler, recounted his experience: "I met a girl at TOS Pub who was very friendly. She sat beside me and my friends while we were drinking. She introduced herself as a software engineer and shared a story about how her boyfriend had left her, and she needed company. We trusted her and had around five to six drinks each. The next day, I realized that I had been charged â¹25,300 at the pub."
This practice of trapping male customers into overspending through manipulation has been rampant in certain pubs in the area. Police investigations revealed that this wasn’t an isolated incident; similar fraudulent practices had been exposed earlier.
Similar Incidents
In May this year, the Banjara Hills Police raided the After-9 Restro Pub, where a similar scheme of women deceiving male customers was uncovered.
During that raid, two managers, a cashier, a DJ operator, five bouncers, 131 male customers, and 32 women were arrested. Urvasi Bar and Restaurant in Begumpet also faced penalties for similar offenses earlier.
The police have vowed to continue monitoring pubs in the area and take action against establishments involved in such scams, as they exploit customers and violate the law.
Looking Ahead
As authorities continue their investigations, it is expected that further action will be taken against pubs involved in these deceptive practices. The police have warned pub owners to maintain ethical business practices or face severe consequences.
Meanwhile, the public is advised to be cautious of such scams and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.