A late-night police raid exposed an illegal casino and liquor party operating inside a hotel in the IDPL area of Rishikesh. Police arrested 40 people, including 10 women and a local councillor, while the hotel owner managed to escape. The premises, identified as Navrang Hotel, have been sealed following the action.
According to police, the raid was conducted after receiving intelligence inputs about organised gambling and a liquor party at the hotel. Teams reached the spot and found gambling tables set up along with ongoing alcohol consumption. Cash amounting to ₹1,37,600, along with gambling materials and a significant quantity of liquor, was recovered from the site.
Station House Officer K C Bhatt said that the detained individuals include people from multiple locations such as Delhi, Meerut, Faridabad, Noida, Kotdwar, and Tehri Garhwal. The women, reportedly brought from Delhi, were allegedly engaged as bar dancers and for serving guests.
In a major administrative step, Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Dobhal suspended 12 police personnel, including the IDPL outpost in-charge Vinay Sharma, citing serious negligence. The hotel is located barely 200 metres from the police outpost, raising questions about local enforcement and surveillance.
Local residents alleged that such illegal activities had been ongoing in the area and accused authorities of failing to act in time. Concerns have also been raised over possible irregularities in the hotel’s construction, with officials from the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority stating that verification of building approvals is underway.
Also Read This – Uttarakhand LPG Crisis: Temporary Gas Connections Allowed for Wedding Use
The incident has also drawn attention to the role of the excise department, as the recovery of large quantities of liquor indicates potential regulatory lapses. Police have initiated further investigation and are searching for the absconding hotel owner, while departmental inquiries against suspended personnel are expected to follow.
