Pune: Was Club Ballr Open Beyond 1.30 AM Deadline? Will There Be Action Against Father Of Minor Accused

Reported by Sumit Singh & Tikam Shekhawat

Kalyani Nagar, 19th May 2024: In an exclusive report, Punekar News has obtained footage showing revellers partying and dancing at Club Ballr at 1:45 AM, well beyond the permitted operating hours.

A fatal accident occurred around 3:15 AM in Kalyani Nagar today, involving a Porsche driven by a minor  which collided with a motorcycle and other vehicles. The accident resulted in the deaths of a young woman and an unidentified man, both of whom had left Club Ballr shortly before the incident.

When questioned, Heramb Shelke, the owner of Club Ballr, asserted that the club had closed on time and that everyone had vacated the premises by 2 AM. He denied any connection to the underage driver of the Porsche, although he confirmed that the deceased woman had been at the club. The club has handed over all CCTV footage to the Pune police crime branch for further investigation.

Punekar News reached out to Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar regarding the incident and the broader issue of pubs operating beyond legal hours. Commissioner Kumar confirmed that initial footage indicates the club closed by 1:45 AM, but emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing. He also mentioned that should it be discovered that alcohol was served to minors, the police would take appropriate action against the establishment.

This incident is not an isolated case for Club Ballr. In the first three months of 2024 alone, Pune police have taken action against the club for operating beyond permitted hours on four separate occasions. Last month, the excise department raided the club and issued a showcause notice, although no further action was taken due to the elections, according to an excise officer.

Despite orders from Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to close by 1:30 AM, many pubs in Pune, including those in Kalyaninagar, continue to operate late into the night, raising concerns among residents and authorities.

Commissioner Kumar told Punekar News, “With reference to the incident you are referring to, prima facie, it is understood that the pub was closed by 1:45 AM. However, we are still verifying the footage to get the details. Also, in case we find that alcohol was served to minors at the pub, then the police will take necessary action against the pub.”

For years, residents of Kalyani Nagar have been urging the authorities to implement and enforce stringent measures against traffic violations, including noise pollution, pub closing times, and unregulated pub permissions.

“This incident underscores the urgent need for action to ensure our neighbourhood remains safe. We cannot tolerate any laxity in these matters. Our community is united in its demand for a safe secure and peaceful environment. We must protect our youth and prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again”, a resident told Punekar News.

Another resident added, “We’ve been asking the authorities to take strong action and ensure no violations of noise pollution rules, pub closure times, and permissions. It’s crucial for maintaining the safety and peace of our community. The excessive number of pubs and restaurants serving alcohol until late at night has turned Kalyani Nagar into a hotspot for noise and drunken disturbances.”

He further added, “Despite our continuous complaints for the past two years, drunken brawls, misbehavior, and littered streets with alcohol bottles persist. This endangers women’s safety and increases the risk of drunk driving accidents. We’ve engaged with the police, PMC, and excise department, and sought support from our elected representatives. It’s time for the authorities to act, revoke these licenses, and enforce an 11 PM deadline to protect our community and prevent further tragedies.”

A woman resident of the area said, “The video footage of the victims lying on the road is haunting. It’s a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked nightlife activities. It’s heartbreaking to think that young lives were lost because of reckless behaviour fueled by late-night parties. We need strict patrolling in the wee hours. Need all the concerned departments to act. The authorities need to take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.”