Pune Police Make DigiLocker ID Mandatory for Pubs After Minors Caught Drinking at Freshers’ Party

Pune, 31st August 2025: A freshers’ party at Kiki Pub has stirred major controversy after allegations surfaced that underage students were granted entry and served alcohol without proper checks. The incident has triggered swift intervention from the police, who have now made DigiLocker ID verification compulsory for entry into pubs and licensed bars across the city.

The party, hosted at Rajabahadur Mills, reportedly drew students from well-known colleges. According to complaints, many attendees were below the legal drinking age, with some alleged to be just 17 years old. Despite this, no identity verification or entry records were maintained, and alcohol was allegedly served freely.

The situation escalated when activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNS) barged into the venue, accusing the organisers of violating licensing norms and putting minors at risk. Their protest brought the issue into the public spotlight and raised fresh concerns about lax enforcement of safety rules at city pubs.

Taking note of the uproar, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar announced strict new measures.
“All pubs and FL-III licence holders in Pune must now verify customer age through DigiLocker before entry. This will be non-negotiable. We are also urging colleges to caution students about attending such parties. Anyone found violating the rules will face immediate and stringent action,” he said.

Investigations revealed that the event was held without mandatory police permission. Officials estimate that between 100 and 150 students attended. State Excise Department officers, along with police, later visited the spot to review compliance and initiate action against the organisers.

A senior police officer explained the concern behind the crackdown:
“The organisers bypassed basic regulatory requirements. When alcohol is being served to students, it becomes a question of safety as well as law. Such negligence cannot be tolerated.”

The controversy has sparked debate across Pune, particularly in student and parent circles, about the growing trend of unsupervised college parties and the responsibilities of event organisers and educational institutions.

With the new verification mandate in place, city authorities are hopeful that age-restricted venues will finally begin enforcing the law more rigorously.