Big traders spared, small ones face stricter action:Bhaskar sting exposes night-long party in Bhopal’s lounge; alcohol sold without license

In Bhopal, the police are enforcing strict measures regarding the closure of markets after 11:30 pm. Action is being taken against small shopkeepers, street vendors, and ordinary traders, but leniency is being shown towards influential businessmen. In Dainik Bhaskar’s sting operation, a big difference between police strictness and ground reality has come to light. In the sting conducted between 11 June and 21 June, several high-profile lounges and restaurants operating in the city’s outskirts were found open past midnight, where alcohol and hookah were being openly served. In some places, serving intoxicants without a license, making bills under fake names, and taking separate payments via UPI were also reported. Moreover, the business of illegal liquor sales was also caught on camera just 50 meters from Katara Hills police station. 1. The Arc: Waitress said – No bar license, but alcohol is available Dainik Bhaskar reporters reached The Arc Lounge in Bhopal’s Khajuri Sadak police station area at 10:20 pm, where the party continued until 12:30 am, and drinks were served at their table. When asked why beer was cheaper than elsewhere, the waitress said, VAT is not applied to the bill because we don’t have a bar license. We serve beer and liquor on guest demand, but we cannot show it on the bill. Liquor payment was collected via UPI without a bill, while a separate food bill was issued and paid in cash. 2. The Curve: Payment taken in the name of a grocery store The reporter reached The Curve Lounge located on Sehore Road at 12:30 am. Many people were seen drinking alcohol by the swimming pool. During the first visit, the waiter said that beer was not available, but hookah and food would be. A week later, when the team arrived again, a beer order was also taken. Hookah and food were served at the table. The reporter stayed here from 10:30 pm to 12:30 am. During this time, liquor parties were going on at more than half a dozen tables. Light music was playing, and intoxicated people were dancing. For payment, the waiter had the amount transferred to a UPI account named ‘Radha Krishna Kirana Store’. In the bill, beer was recorded as ‘BM’ and hookah as ‘Premium Bucket’. 3. Skywa: Service continued until 1:45 am In the next phase of the sting operation, Bhaskar reporters reached Skywa Restaurant on Sehore Road at around 1 am. Beer, food, and other orders were taken here. After some time, the waiter said, Let us know if you have any more orders. Please sit comfortably, there is no issue of time here. The reporter was present at the restaurant until 1:45 am, and service continued uninterrupted during this time. 4. Food Flavor: claim – police don’t come here The reporter arrived at the Food Flavor lounge on Airport Road in Bhopal around 12:30 am. The waiter present there refused to serve alcohol, stating that alcohol is not allowed there, but hookah would be available. When the reporter asked if the police wouldn’t come so late at night, the waiter replied, Police don’t come here, you can sit until morning. 5. Secret Place: Hookah and snooker until 1:30 am Reporters arrived at 1 am at the Secret Place Lounge, operating on the third floor of City Walk Mall, located in Lalghati, the capital. A game was underway at the snooker table. Most tables were occupied. It seemed as if police strictness and time limits had no effect here. As soon as they sat on the sofa, the waiter arrived to take the order. He offered shisha, listing various flavors. While the reporters were present, people were seen smoking shisha and playing snooker.