Excise raid on central Kolkata hotel – Times of India

KOLKATA: The state excise department conducted a raid at Hotel Hindusthan International in central Kolkata recently and are questioning the authorities for alleged violation of Covid-related restrictions.
A source at the state excise department said acting on a tip off, the officials visited the hotel well past the official bar closing time of 8pm and allegedly heard loud music coming from inside.
But before they could catch the offenders drinking or dancing, there was a brief power cut following which there were no guests at the hotel bar.
However, the hotel officials were allegedly called to report at the excise collectors’ office and issue an explanation on Thursday.
TOI made multiple calls and text messages to a senior official in charge of the hotel’s day to day activities but there was no response till late into Friday.
Last Sunday, cops had arrested 37 men from The Park hotel on Park Street when they had found some 50 odd guests in the second and third floor corridors of the hotel dancing and drinking during a surprise raid at 1am — well past the time — 9pm — when night curfew kicks in across the state because of Covid-19.
Following the arrest, the excise department has prohibited sale of liquor from all of the nine bars on The Park premises till the completion of investigation.
The department has also sought CCTV footage of the party to find out who had served liquor to the revellers.