Grand Hyatt hotel manager booked, fined

Following assistant commissioner of police Vasant Dhoble's clampdown on festivities within Grand Hyatt hotel on the night of December 31, police on Wednesday said they had booked the five-star hotel's general affairs manager, Tushar Mali, for allowing an event beyond permissible time limit.

A Vakola police officer said the event in question was orgnised at Lobby Lounge at the Grand Hyatt.

On Tuesday, Newsline reported that Dhoble had cut short celebrations in one of the venues at the Santacruz (east) hotel for not having the licence for the party to go on after midnight.

"We booked the manager under section 33 (W) of the Bombay Police Act. He had to pay a fine of Rs 12,500. If the case has not been contested, the Vakola police station must have begun the chargesheeting process," said Dhoble, in-charge of the Vakola division.

Section 33 (W) pertains to licensing or control of places holding public amusement or entertainment. Part (iv) of the section specifically relates to "regulating the hours during which and the places at which such performances may be given".

While spokespersons for the hotel insisted that they had the necessary licences for all functions held within its premises on December 31, Grand Hyatt's corporate communications as well as Mali declined to comment on the charge.

Britta Leick-Milde, hotel manager, Grand Hyatt Mumbai, said, "Grand Hyatt Mumbai supports and adheres to mandated government laws. China House Lounge had valid licenses, which permitted operations until 3 am on January 1. The festivities at China House Lounge continued till that time."

"The hotel had seven licenses for its six restaurants and one discotheque. However, the hotel had only a one-day permit till midnight for an event held in the Lobby Lounge. The hotel flouted the rules and let the event go on past midnight. We heard of this and went to the hotel at around 12.45 am," said Dhoble.

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