Bombay High Court asks police to videograph raids at bars

In order to clinch physical evidence of alleged illegal activities carried out by restaurants and bars, the police should video-graph raids conducted at such places, the Bombay High Court observed today.

A division bench of Justices PB Majmudar and RM Sawant was hearing a petition filed by Shivraj Hotel and Resort in suburban Malad alleging that police was harassing them and prohibiting them from playing orchestra.

The police in their reply claimed that the hotel's license was invalid as it was in the name of a person who was not employed with the hotel.

Public prosecutor also informed that court that police found waitresses and female performers in the hotel beyond 3 AM when rules strictly say that women should not work beyond 9.30 PM.

When advocate Ramesh Soni, appearing for the hotel, denied this, the bench suggested the police to videograph the raids.

"When you (police) go on raids there should be some physical proof of what happened there. If the raids are shot on video then whoever is violating the law will be caught. The time will also be revealed," Justice Majmudar said.

The bench further said such allegations of police harassment are a regular feature in the court and it is high time the police authorities refute such allegations with modern techniques.

The court directed for their order to be sent to the city police commissioner immediately for action.