Police raid Halloween party at Yeoor bungalow in Thane, detain over 70 youths

Vartak Nagar police have raided a high-profile "Halloween party" being held in a luxury bungalow in the Yeoor area of Thane. Yeoor is regarded as a green and ecologically sensitive forest area. The police action created a stir in Thane.

More than 70 youths, men and women, were present at the party and were allegedly drinking liquor and using e-cigarettes illegally. Police have detained all of them.

According to preliminary information, the party was held at the bungalow of Suresh Gada in the "Lions Park" complex on Ashram Road in Yeoor. Each person was charged an entry fee of Rs 1,500. It is alleged that Gada charges organisers Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh in rent for such parties. In the name of the party, liquor and banned e-cigarettes were being used on a large scale in the forest area.

The most serious aspect of the case is the role of the Forest Department. There is a Forest Department checkpost at the main gate of Yeoor, and the staff posted there are accused of taking a bribe. It is alleged that the party's organiser paid these staff Rs 6,000.

It is said that when the staff were asked whether any official permission was needed for the party, they replied, "This is our area, no one's permission is needed here." They then took the Rs 6,000. A key question for the inquiry is whether the money was deposited against a receipt or taken directly as a bribe.

On receiving information, officers of Vartak Nagar police station reached the spot immediately. They detained all the youths present and began further action. Police are questioning the organiser, the bungalow owner and the youths who attended the party sternly. Forest Department staff who are under suspicion are also likely to be questioned.

Several questions are being raised in the case. Was proper permission obtained for such parties running late into the night in a reserved forest area? Did Forest Department officials actually take a Rs 6,000 bribe and let an illegal party go ahead? Who is responsible for liquor, banned e-cigarettes and loud music in an environmentally sensitive area? And will legal action be taken against bungalow owner Suresh Gada over the commercial use of the forest area?