After Hello Mumbai News carried the story of illegal and clandestine operation of Juhu based Epitome Bar & Restaurant, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of K/West Ward has cancelled the Eating House licence of the said Epitome Bar Juhu.

Earlier numerous complaints were made by Social Worker Md. Ahsaan related to the clandestine operation of the said Epitome Bar & Restaurant in Juhu.

Based on the complaint, BMC were left with no option but to cancel the Eating House Licence of the said Epitome Bar & Restaurant in Juhu for functioning illegally without valid and necessary permission and NOC from Fire Dept, BMC, Land Owner Airport Authority, EE-BP and DCP HQ1, and other Government Agencies.

Reportedly, the Medical Health Officer had issued the revocation letter on 15th July.

As per Md.Ahsaan, Social Worker Md. Ahsaan said the RTI Documents and the entire structure of the Epitome Bar& Restaurant is wholly illegal, unauthorised, and occupied illegally without OC.

Ironically, Ajit Pampatwar, the Medical Health Officer, BMC K/West Ward, unlawfully favoured the illegal Epitome Bar owners and allegedly increased the additional area of the old eating house licence from 900sq ft. to 3935 sq ft. The owner operated the illegally constructed Disco Bar for more than six months,
without verification and without NOC from Fire Dept, Landowner Airport Authority, EEBP, and Sanction Letter from the Ward Officer, K/West Ward.

Notably, Epitome Bar & Restaurant is owned by Cricket Match Bookie Vishal Karia’s son Shrey Karia and the Santacruz police had registered FIR against the said owner Shrey Karia u/s 420, 468, 471 of IPC Act of Cheating and Forgery of State Excise Documents.
Shrey Karia is still absconding and not been arrested as yet.

Further Social Activist Ahsaan also alleged that BMC K/West Ward Asst. Commissioner Prithviraj Chauhan, Sub Engineer Prashant Tavde , Medical Health Officer Ajit Pampatwar and Divisional Fire Officers are all hand-in-glove in the illegal Epitome Bar Scam.

Hence, a departmental enquiry needed to be conducted against them. Infact, the associates of the said illegal Epitome Bar & Restaurant are habitual criminals.

While speaking with Hello Mumbai News over phone, Harish Shetty asserted that Joint action has already been taken against the said premises and we have not given any fire compliances or any kind of NOC to the owner of the said Epitome Bar and Restaurant in Juhu. The entire blunder has been committed by Officials of the Building and Health Department of BMC K/West Ward. Before giving any kind of permission they need to inspect the place or follow all norms, but they neglected it. Fire Department in no way supports such type of illegal operations.

” we have followed all norms after  Building and Factory , Fire NOC we have given the premission to the said premises but now we have canclled our investigation is in progress, ” said MOH of ‘K ‘ west

News Edit: K.V.Raman