L3 Lounge Drug Case: Know who is 'behind the bar'

Pune: Following a raid at the Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3) pub on Fergusson College (FC) Road, police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the distribution of drug-like substances at a party.

Blood samples were taken from three of the accused, with further investigations pending based on the results. The police also discovered a significant stockpile of alcohol at L3 and suspect further illegal storage at other locations.

Arrested suspects:

• Owner of bar premises

1. Santosh Vitthal Kamthe, residing at 447/4, Ranjanigandha Apartment, Shivajinagar

• Involved in running the bar:

1. Utkarsh Kalidas Deshmane, residing at Flat No. 302, Saiprasad Apartment, Lane No. 10, Munjaba Vasti, Dhanori

2. Yogendra Girase, residing at Dawan Society, Shriram Sweet Mart, Bhugaon

3. Ravi Maheshwari, residing at H 1006, 382 Park, Majestic, Undri

• Party organizer

1. Akshay Dattatreya Kamthe, residing at Hadapsar

2. DJ Dinesh Mankar, residing at Nana Peth

• Party participants

1. Rohan Raju Gaikwad, residing at Bhosale Park, Hadapsar

2. Manas Paskual Mallik, residing at Flat No. 42, Jayjawan Nagar, near Ram Mandir, Yerwada

Initial findings suggest that minors were given drugs at the party. The party, organized by Akshay Kamthe, was promoted via social media, with entry fees collected online and in cash. Attendees were admitted through the back door after closing time, as confirmed by Senior Police Inspector Chandrashekhar Sawant.

The police have been granted custody of the accused until Saturday (June 29) to gather information about the party attendees and the source of the drugs. The investigation is also focusing on identifying individuals seen in a viral video on social media. Public Prosecutor Priyanka Vengurlekar emphasized the need for thorough interrogation given the severity of the case.

Additionally, the state excise department raided L3, seizing illegal alcohol worth approximately 3.25 lakh rupees and arresting six employees, who are now in custody until June 29. Charges have been filed under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, with ongoing efforts to identify and arrest others involved.