Star hotel in soup for flouting operating hours rule

In a joint operation, the Cubbon Park police and Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths intercepted a late-night party at the JW Marriott Hotel in central Bengaluru on Saturday and booked the hotel in-charge for allegedly operating beyond permissible hours.

Around 80 people were allegedly found inside the hotel around 2 a.m. on Saturday when Bengaluru police, acting on a tip-off, searched the JW Marriott located on Vittal Mallya Road. The searches continued for two hours.

A senior police officer told The Hindu that attendees were subjected to blood tests on suspicion of contraband consumption, although nothing was recovered during physical checks.

“Test results of one of them, a 27-year-old man, came back positive for drug consumption. We have issued a notice to him,” the officer said, adding that his samples have been sent for more advanced testing.

“Sometimes, heavy alcohol intake can also result in a positive drug test, which is why we have sent his blood sample for higher-level analysis,” he explained.

Additionally, the Cubbon Park police booked the hotel in charge for violating operating hours.

The officer further said such violations are taken seriously and regular checks will be conducted. Citizens can also call the police helpline if they find any establishment operating beyond permissible hours.