Pubs, hookah parlours, bars under scanner

​Hyderabad: The probe into the drug racket by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) took a new turn on Friday as it has decided to summon managements of pubs and bars, hookah parlours and some restaurants. The SIT has asked the managements to appear before it on Saturday morning.

Prohibition and Excise Enforcement Director Akun Sabharwal told the media that the managements of pubs, bars, hookah parlours and some restaurants had been summoned since the names of some of these places had come to light during questioning of some drug peddlers.

According to officials, some of these places had been facilitating their customers in using the places for exchange and abuse of drugs and narcotic substances despite knowing well that it is illegal. Some event managers and DJs had been arranging meetings of drug peddlers and drug abusers besides luring some frequent visitors of these places to try the narcotic substances, officials said that all these issues would be discussed with the managements.

The SIT officials are likely to give the names of those involved in drug deals to the managements of identified pubs, bars, hookah parlours and restaurants with instructions to keep them at bay or face legal consequences, sources said.

Akun Sabharwal said, “Some names of pubs, hookah parlours, bars and restaurants have come to light during the questioning of some drug peddlers. It is our responsibility to tackle the issue since the licenses for serving liquor is given by the department,” he said.