Late-night gatherings a cause for concern, Kochi police tell Kerala HC | Kochi News
Kochi: City police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has filed a statement before the high court justifying the restrictions imposed on DJ parties in Kochi after 11pm, stating that unregulated late-night gatherings can have serious consequences for public safety, as they are often associated with offences such as narcotic drug trafficking, assault and rioting.The statement was filed in reply to a petition by a five-star hotel at Elamkulam, challenging the police notices restricting DJ parties on its premises. It further states that the Kochi city police has, since 2023, registered 26 criminal cases in connection with such late-night events, including cases involving unlawful assemblies, drug-related offences, crimes against women and other violations of law.The petitioner has challenged the police notices on the ground that the state govt, by notification, had permitted classified five-star hotels holding FL-3 licences to operate their bars till 3am. However, the commissioner contended that the notification extending the operating hours of FL-3 bar hotels cannot be construed as conferring an unrestricted right to conduct activities prejudicial to public peace, law and order, or public safety, including DJ parties.He further submitted that the provisions of Kerala Police Act are applicable to DJ parties, as such commercial events attract large crowds and carry the potential to create public nuisance, disorder and law-and-order issues, thereby justifying restrictions beyond 11pm as a preventive measure to ensure public safety and tranquillity. It further states that several incidents affecting public safety and public order were reported from the petitioner’s establishment alone during 2026. In connection with those incidents, criminal cases were registered at Kadavanthra police station for offences including narcotic drug trafficking, assault, rioting and damage to property within the hotel premises. The statement also refers to a notice issued by Kadavanthra police station house officer on March 30 following the detection of offences under the NDPS Act in connection with a late-night rave party allegedly conducted at the petitioner’s premises.The statement also asserted that DJ parties have witnessed rapid commercial growth in Kochi, expanding from just three venues to more than 34 establishments. According to the commissioner, these events charge entry fees ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 6,000 per person and collect up to Rs 20,000 for table reservations. He contended that the unchecked expansion of such commercial events poses a threat to public safety and law and order.Cases related to late-night events since 2023Central station – 10Kadavanthra station – 7Hill Palace station – 3Ernakulam Town North station – 2Thrikkakara station – 2Palluruthy station – 1Maradu station – 1
