CCB sleuths raid four pubs; rescue 36 dancers

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths raided four pubs in the city and rescued 36 women, including a Nepali, and arrested 11 people, including a DJ and three bouncers.

The raids happened in the early hours of Saturday on the pubs, two of which had live bands and the other two operated as dance bars. The sleuths seized Rs 8.02 lakh, two note-counting machines, a card reader and music equipment.

The CCB recently formed special teams to identify illegal establishments that run live bands and dance bars. They zeroed in on Mehendi Bar on Residency Cross Road in Ashok Nagar, Lays Bar and Restaurant on St Mark's Road near Cubbon Park, and Papers Dance Bar and Loft 38 Bar and Restaurant, both located on Indiranagar 100 Feet Road.

Sleuths said trafficked women from other states and foreign countries were dancing with skimpy clothes to entertain patrons who showered them with money. These restaurants become pickup joints late in the night as event and band managers turn into pimps and set up the women with the patrons, they said.

The owners of all the bars and restaurants escaped with their managers during the raid. "They'll be arrested soon," said a CCB official.