MUMBAI: In a major crackdown on violations by commercial establishments in South Mumbai, the office of the collector (state excise), Mumbai City, has suspended the FL-3 liquor licence of the popular ‘The Ghetto Restaurant and Bar’ located at Mahalaxmi for a period of 15 days.The suspension order, issued by Mumbai City collector Anchal Goyal, comes in the wake of a surprise inspection that revealed stark discrepancies in liquor stock, unauthorised structural alterations to the licensed premises, and disturbances caused by crowds outside the venue.
Surprise raid exposes violations
According to the official order, a surprise inspection was conducted on March 4, 2026, by the deputy inspector of state excise (C-2 Division, Mumbai City) at the establishment, situated at Building No. 30, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mahalaxmi.During the raid, the authorities observed multiple glaring irregularities:
- Unlicensed Drinking: Customers were found consuming alcohol without valid individual permits.
- Structural Alterations: The physical layout of the restaurant did not match the original government-approved maps and floor plans.
- Stock Mismatches: Physical verification of the liquor on-site revealed significant discrepancies when cross-checked with the establishment’s official daily registers. Discrepancies were noted in foreign liquor, Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), and country liquor stock.
Public nuisance and neighborhood complaints
Following the initial raid, multiple subsequent special inspections were carried out by various excise teams, including the flying squad and the C-Division team, between May and June 2026 after receiving repetitive complaints against the establishment.The subsequent investigation reports highlighted severe civic and public order issues surrounding the restobar:
- Loud Music: The establishment was found playing loud Western music, drawing a massive influx of young crowds, especially young women.
- Public Nuisance and Smoking: Large groups of youths routinely gathered outside the premises, loitering and smoking on the pavements.
- Traffic Bottlenecks: Scores of taxi drivers routinely lined up outside the venue waiting for patrons, blocking the main road and causing severe traffic snarls in the upscale neighborhood.
The legal action
The excise department noted that changing the layout of a licensed premises without prior official permission is a critical hazard that risks public safety and potential loss of life in case of fire or any other disaster.While the licensee submitted a written clarification on April 25, 2026, admitting to the procedural lapses and pleading for a lenient fine instead of harsh action, the Collector rejected the plea given the gravity and repetition of the offences.“The establishment has blatantly violated Rule 57(1)(a), 53(1), and 58 of the Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953, alongside FL-3 licence conditions 6(b) and 9,” the order stated.Invoking powers under Sections 54 and 56 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, collector Anchal Goyal ordered the immediate suspension of the establishment’s business operations for 15 days.The state excise C-Division inspector has been directed to strictly enforce the shutdown and submit a compliance report immediately.
