Mumbai: A raid on the notorious ‘Kem Cho’ orchestra bar located along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway in Mira Road has unveiled a troubling mix of secret chambers and apparent police inaction. But what has shocked many more than the revelations is the swift transfer of the police officer who led the raid.
Sting Pushes Authorities Into Action
The expose, by ABP Majha on Wednesday, forced authorities into immediate damage control. Footage revealed the presence of a hidden entrance, a narrow escape route, and a concealed 'cavity room' inside the Kem Cho bar, elements designed to help those involved in illegal activities evade law enforcement.
Following the report, both the local municipal authorities and the police acted quickly, demolishing these hidden structures the same day. However, the story doesn't end with the crackdown, it deepens with internal policing issues.
Bold Officer Transferred Within 48 Hours
Police Inspector Devidas Handore, from the Immoral Human Trafficking Cell (Bhayander Division), had raided the bar on Monday, two days before the ABP Majha report. His team exposed how the bar used uniformed staff to trigger alarm signals to warn others during raids and also located the hidden exit routes.
But in a shocking twist, Handore was transferred on Wednesday, just after the media broadcast. Sources within the police say his photograph being leaked to the media may have triggered the decision, leaving officers perplexed and demoralised. The silence from top police officials has only deepened the controversy.
No Action Against Local Police Raises Eyebrows
The Kem Cho bar falls under the jurisdiction of Kashimira Police Station, which had apparently taken no firm action against the establishment for a long time. Despite the seriousness of the offences revealed, no disciplinary steps have been taken against the local officers, raising serious concerns about accountability and selective policing.
This apparent disparity has drawn attention to the functioning of Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik, who recently assumed office. The fact that the officer who took initiative has been transferred while inactive personnel remain untouched has fuelled public debate over the ethical stance and leadership within the police force.
Bars Operating Beyond Legal Limits
There are reportedly 30 to 35 such bars in Mira Bhayandar, with official permits allowing them to operate only until 1:30 am. However, many are known to stay open till 4 am, blatantly violating regulations.
These bars often operate under the garb of orchestra bars, but as locals reveal, there is no live singing. Instead, bar girls lip-sync to recorded songs, presented as performers. Legally, only eight singers (male or female) are allowed at a time, yet 20 to 25 bar girls are typically present at such establishments—clear evidence of unchecked violations.
A Systemic Rot or a One-Off Failure?
The double standards, rewarding silence and punishing action, are now under scrutiny. With one upright officer shunted out and no action against those who overlooked illegal activity, serious questions are being raised about institutional integrity, political pressure, and local-police nexus.
As public pressure builds and more media houses begin to spotlight the issue, the Mira Road bar raid might turn into a litmus test for police reform and transparency in Maharashtra’s suburban zones.
