Lonavala’s Puranik Sayama Residents Raise Alarm Over Late-Night Villa Parties, Alleged Illegal Rentals
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Lonavala, 8th August 2026: A police complaint submitted by a resident of Puranik Sayama, a 145-villa residential complex in Lonavala, has raised concerns over the alleged daily rental of villas and late-night parties that residents claim are disturbing the residential environment.
The complaint was submitted by Vinod V. Katara, a resident of Villa 126, to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Tungarli, Lonavala.
According to the complaint, around a dozen villas in Puranik Sayama are allegedly being rented out on a daily basis. Katara has stated that some properties are reportedly operating under MTDC Bed & Breakfast licences, while some are allegedly being operated without the required permissions.
The complaint alleges that groups of around 12 to 15 people stay in some of the rented villas and hold parties late at night. Residents have alleged loud music, alcohol consumption, shouting, screaming and abusive behaviour during odd hours, including in open garden areas.
The complaint also refers to a late-night incident last month in which Lonavala City Police reportedly took action against a party involving alleged illegal alcohol consumption, loud music and obscene activities.
Katara has also raised concerns over whether villa operators are following police procedures related to guest registration and the e-app system. He has sought verification of the guest-registration practices followed at the rented villas, citing security concerns for permanent residents.
The complaint specifically seeks information regarding Villas 136 and 137, including their owners or caretakers and whether the properties have the required licences for such rental activity. Katara has also asked whether the alleged daily rental of villas in Puranik Sayama has been stopped.
The complaint further mentions the alleged bursting of banned crackers. Katara has sought to know whether cases have been registered against those allegedly bursting the crackers and whether police have traced the source of the crackers and taken action against those allegedly selling them.
Katara has stated that he lives in Puranik Sayama with his brother Mohan V. Katara and his 29-year-old nephew Varun Katara, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Vinod V. Katara said, “We are senior citizens living in the complex along with a 29-year-old family member with special needs. The repeated late-night parties, loud music, shouting and alleged alcohol consumption at rented villas are causing serious disturbance and making us feel unsafe. We are not against genuine guests or lawful rentals, but the rules must be followed. We want the police to verify the licences of the villas being rented out, ensure proper guest registration and take action wherever violations are found.”
Separately, residents have raised concerns over the construction status of their own villas at Puranik Sayama. According to them, they booked a four-unit row-villa structure in March 2023, with possession scheduled for November 2024 under the agreement. However, they claim that the villas are still incomplete.
They allege that the middle units have been left without proper waterproofing, tiling and plumbing on the open terraces. Residents claim that rainwater accumulates on the unfinished terraces and seeps through the common walls, resulting in dampness and alleged damage to the structure.
The residents further claim that the builder provided basic transit accommodation in January 2025, but the temporary accommodation itself has leakage at multiple locations.
Katara has sought details of the action taken on his complaint and the contact details of the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO) to obtain further information under the RTI Act.
