Hyderabad: GHMC officials raided and seized six pubs which were allegedly running illegally from unauthorised constructions. Officials said that the establishments neither had trade licence nor parking space and were not in compliance with fire safety norms.
A GHMC official said the pub owners taking advantage of the legal loopholes were getting stay orders from courts immediately after the corporation seizes the units. Of the 20 pubs seized earlier, 12 had secured stay orders and were up and running. He said the corporation’s legal cell was even not bothering to file counter petitions.
According to GHMC officials, the six pubs seized on Thursday were Le Vantage Cafe Bar, Farzi Cafe, Juri Cafe & Bar, Absorb — The Boutique Bar and TOT Nightclub in Jubilee Hills and Zehn On 10 in Banjara Hills. “These pub are operating from illegal constructions and putting customer safety at risk,” an official said.
Notices were issued to these pubs about three months ago to rectify the shortcomings. The pubs that did nothing about the notices were seized.
The official said that following the corporation orders, a pub called Dock Forty Five had been demolished, a few other pubs had rectified the structures according to the norms prescribed by the corporation and three others, including United Kitchens of India and Nala Bhima, were shut permanently.
The official said that the six pubs which were seized on Thursday would be closed until the court order or rectification of structures in compliance with the norms set by the GHMC. The official said that the inspections will continue and corporation would inspect every pub in Hyderabad.
