Belagavi: It was like any other weekend till police in plain-clothes swooped down on “Top in Town”, the bar and restaurant at Kirloskar Road which had permission to operate on the third flood, but also operated on the fourth floor without permission over weekends. Posing as patrons, police personnel gained entry and unearth illegalities.Two different cases have been registered in Khadebazar police station — one related to illegally running the bar and the other for flesh trade. In the illegal bar case, they arrested and framed charges against eight people identified as Laxman Vemulkar (owner), Vijay Muddanna Shetty and Rahul Shahpurkar (managers), workers Kishore Gopal Wadekar, Shivanand Suresh Mangavi, Fernandes Paul, Devendra Sali and Irranna Kumbar. Alcohol worth Rs 1.4 lakh was recovered in the raid. In the flesh trade case, police framed cases against four people owner of a lodge Laxman Vemulkar, manager Vijay Shetty, Mohan Raghavan and Ramesh Kallappa Ainapure.The pub allegedly organized illegal DJ dance parties . Apart from alcohol, drugs were also available at these parties, said police sources. College students and young working professionals frequented the illegal pub which operated till 1am to 2am since the past few years.Police raided the place after receiving credible information. However, the task was not easy. As the entry was limited to known customers and couples, police had to outsmart the organizers in order to catch them red-handed.DCP Seema Latkar and another police officer in plain-clothes met the pub manager, expressing their desire to attend the weekend party. Other policemen tried entering the pub, but were initially denied permission. After much pestering, they were also let in. Total of 20 police personnel in mufti entered the pub. The staff learnt of police presence and a few of them fled the spot. Police detained over 20 couples before releasing them later. Two women, suspected to be sex workers, were released after interrogation.Police commissioner D C Rajappa and DCP Seema plotted the raid.

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