No unrestricted right to hold DJ parties, Kochi City police tell HC

The Kochi City police have informed the Kerala High Court that extending operating hours beyond 11 p.m. does not confer an unrestricted right to conduct activities such as DJ parties that could disrupt public peace and order. 

The statement was filed in response to a petition by the vice-president of Radisson Blu Hotel challenging the notices issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam Central, and the Station House Officer, Kadavanthra, directing the hotel not to organise any DJ parties.

The hotel had alleged that it had paid ₹5,00,000 in fees to obtain permission from the Excise department to function till 3 a.m., three hours beyond the permitted operating hours.

The police contended that the permission granted to the hotel only authorised lawful assembly of 100 to 1,000 persons and serving liquor and meals till the prescribed time, in strict compliance with existing laws.

The police alleged that several incidents affecting public safety and order were reported from the hotel, including offences such as narcotic drug trafficking, assault, rioting, and damage to property.

The police produced a list of 27 alleged offences, including unlawful assembly, drug-related offences, and crimes against women.

Earlier, there were only three venues where DJ events were held, but now the number has gone up to 34, and this growth has been ‘unchecked’ because of insufficient regulatory oversight and ineffective control mechanisms, the police said.

The police asserted that the fundamental right to trade guaranteed under the Constitution was subject to reasonable restrictions, and the regulatory measures taken by the police were intended to ensure public safety. 

The police also informed the court that the Inspector General and District Police Chief, Kochi City, had held a meeting in May with the Excise department, Kochi Corporation, and officers of the Kochi City police to discuss issues related to public order, safety, and regulation of DJ programmes. It was decided that regulatory measures must be uniformly enforced across the city.