Kerala Police defends 11 PM cut off for DJ parties in Kochi; flags rise in drug and sexual offences

The Kerala Police recently defended the 11 PM cut off imposed on DJ parties in Kochi [Mahadevan v State of Kerala & ors].The police told the Kerala High Court that rapid growth in late night commercial entertainment has been accompanied by an alarming rise in drug related crimes, sexual offences and other law and order issues in the city, necessitating such a move.The submission was made in a counter statement filed before the High Court in response to a plea by Radisson Blu Hotel at Kadavanthra challenging police restrictions on conducting late-night DJ programmes despite the Excise Department permitting the hotel's bar to function till 3 AM.The petition was filed by Radisson Blu against notices issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police of Ernakulam and the Station House Officer of Kadavanthra Police Station, restricting DJ events beyond the prescribed hours.The hotel contended that the extension granted by the excise department permits the establishment to continue its business activities during the extended hours.The police in response defended the cut-off.When the matter came up before Justice Murali Purushothaman on July 6, the judge took note of the statement filed by the Kochi City Police Commissioner and posted the case for further hearing on July 13..As per the police affidavit, the number of commercial DJ parties in the city had increased sharply over the past years.The commissioner stated that what started with only 3 venues has now grown to more than 34 establishments, with organisers charging entry fees ranging from rupees ₹1,500 to ₹6,000 per person and collecting up to ₹20,000 for table reservations for such events"This rapid and uncontrolled growth is creating a risky situation and causing difficulties in maintaining public safety and law arid order," the commissioner added.It was also stated that 27 criminal cases connected with such late night events has already been registered so far for offences relating to unlawful assembly, narcotic drugs, crime against women and other law and order violations.The statement added that these incidents demonstrated the need for regulatory intervention to prevent further threats to public safety.According to the Commissioner, an FL-3 license issued under the excise laws authorised the service of liquor and meals and not unrestricted right to organise high decibel DJ events or large public gatherings.He further stated that the extension of bar timings could not override the statutory powers of the police under the Kerala Police Act, 2011, to regulate activities affecting public order..The statement also alleged that several incidents affecting public safety had occurred at Radisson Blu during 2026, including a case involving a violent clash inside the hotel, an NDPS case in which 8 persons were arrested during an alleged rave party where ganja MDMA and cocaine were seized, and another case relating to rioting and damage to the hotel property during a DJ event.It was stated that the hotel management's role was also being investigated in the narcotics case.Referring to reports received from police stations across Kochi, the commissioner stated that late night DJ events have repeatedly resulted in disturbance to public and have been associated with offences related to drugs as well as crimes against women.Consequently, orders have been issued under the Kerala Police Act directing that DJ programmes and similar entertainment activities should not continue beyond 11 PM.It was clarified that the police has not objected to the hotel serving liquor till 3 AM and that restrictions have been applied only to DJ programs and related entertainment activities..Advocates S Rajeev, Anand Kalyanakrishnan, C Dheeraj Rajan, V Vinay, MS Aneer and Libin Varghese appeared for the hotel.