Pune’s Night Curbs Under Fire: Local Vendors Forced Shut While Pubs and Global Chains Run Late
Pune, 23rd May 2026: Pune Police’s aggressive late-night enforcement drive, introduced in the wake of rising “Koyta Gang” violence and a series of murders, is facing mounting backlash from citizens, traders and small business owners who allege selective action and glaring double standards in implementation.
Across multiple parts of the city, local shopkeepers, street food vendors, tea stalls and small restaurants claim they are being forced by police personnel to shut operations by 10 PM or 10:30 PM in the name of maintaining law and order. Traders say the restrictions have severely affected their businesses, particularly those dependent on late-night crowds, including students, IT employees, delivery workers and night-shift staff.
However, the crackdown has sparked outrage after citizens alleged that pubs, bars and major multinational food chains continue to operate late into the night without facing similar restrictions.
Residents specifically pointed to outlets such as the McDonald’s at Right Bhusari Colony in Kothrud and the Burger King near MIT College, alleging that these establishments continue serving customers while smaller local businesses are routinely threatened with action.
At the same time, several pubs and nightlife establishments across Pune reportedly continue operations well past the timings being imposed on ordinary traders, intensifying accusations that enforcement is disproportionately targeting small businesses while powerful commercial players remain untouched.
The alleged selective policing has triggered sharp reactions from local traders.
“If there is a genuine security threat, then the rules should apply equally to everyone. Why are roadside vendors and family-run eateries being shut while pubs and multinational chains continue business as usual?” questioned a restaurant owner from Kothrud.
Apart from the economic fallout, citizens are also complaining about the increasing number of police nakabandis and vehicle-checking drives at night, which they say are causing severe traffic congestion across major roads.
Late-night commuters, students, IT professionals, app-based cab drivers and delivery executives report being stuck in massive traffic snarls for long durations due to repeated checkpoints and intensive vehicle inspections.
Critics argue that instead of creating fear among criminals, the current enforcement strategy is creating hardship for law-abiding citizens and smaller businesses already struggling with rising operational costs.
The issue has also taken a political dimension. Member of Parliament Supriya Sule publicly stated that Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar was not responding to her calls regarding the worsening law-and-order situation in Pune, adding to growing public scrutiny over the city’s policing approach.
Questions are now being raised over whether any official written curfew order exists, what guidelines are being followed for enforcement, and why there appears to be a different yardstick for pubs, multinational brands and local traders.
Punekar News contacted senior Pune Police officials seeking clarification on the alleged selective enforcement, the late-night restrictions imposed on local businesses and the continued operation of pubs and multinational outlets. However, no response was received till the time of publication.
