Thane Police Raid Orchestra Bar Over Alleged Rule Violations, 12 Arrested

Police arrested 12 people and rescued 16 women during a raid at an orchestra bar in Bhayandar in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Sunday.

The Anti-Women Exploitation Cell conducted the raid at the establishment on Navghar Road on October 8 following information that the management was allegedly operating beyond permissible limits and encouraging vulgar performances, the official said.

During the operation, police found seven women performing on stage, while 10 others were discovered inside a hidden enclosure, raising concerns about the activities being carried out at the premises, he said.

The operation resulted in the rescue of 16 women, though the official did not provide further details about their identities or the circumstances in which they were found. Police also seized illicit domestic and foreign liquor, along with cash, from the establishment during the raid.

A total of 12 people, including staff members, were arrested in connection with the case, the official said. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, he added.

The raid was carried out after the cell received information about alleged violations at the orchestra bar. The police action was aimed at checking activities that were reportedly being conducted beyond the establishment's permitted limits. Further details about the accused, the amount of cash seized and the subsequent legal proceedings were not immediately available.

The incident comes amid enforcement action against establishments suspected of violating rules governing their operations. However, the police have not disclosed whether the bar's management had previously faced complaints or action over similar alleged violations.

The investigation is expected to establish the individual roles of those arrested and determine the nature and extent of the alleged violations. Police have not issued further details about the case so far.