Hyderabad: Farm houses, resorts in outskirts turned into safe haven for illegal activities

There have been increasing concerns about farmhouses and resorts on the outskirts being used as venues for such illegal activities and other illicit gatherings.

Hyderabad: Farm houses, resorts and hotels on the city suburbs have been turning into a safe haven for illegal activities. Organisers of rave parties, mujra parties, flesh trade, cricket betting among others are operating from the premises which are mostly located in secluded places.

These activities in recent times have become hit among youngsters especially students, business class and politicians.

There have been increasing concerns about farmhouses and resorts on the outskirts being used as venues for such illegal activities and other illicit gatherings. These secluded locations often escape regular police surveillance, making them attractive spots for organisers to conduct such events away from the public eye.

For rave parties with illegal substances, especially in areas like Moinabad, Shankarpally, Chevella, Shamirpet and Ibrahimpatnam are often being chosen by the organizers.

Illegal betting and gambling linked to cricket matches or card games and mujra and dance parties sometimes involving human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women from other States are also going unabated.

Meanwhile, lack of proper regulation or enforcement on these private properties is making monitoring difficult.

Law enforcement authorities occasionally crack down on such events, especially after tip-offs or complaints. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to the private nature of these properties and the involvement of influential individuals.

On the other hand, police officials maintain that due to back to back arrests, these parties are hardly found now. “These parties in the secluded spaces are not formal or organized ones. Small group of friends come together to celebrate a birthday, festival or any event. Mostly, they are not plush these days and kept low profile,” said a senior police official from the Special Operations Team.

Officials said rave parties are now being organized in the close vicinity and in the spaces known to the organizers and in a much informal way.

A typical rave party has a group of 15-20 members in a well-organized event with sound and dancers for entertaining the members and also includes liquor, hookah, drugs and women.

“They are selecting the farm houses of friends, relatives or known persons to organize these parties. However as these spaces are not so interior, we get the information and raid them,” an official said.

Police said the farm house and resort owners have been warned against entertaining such parties in their premises. “Earlier too we have warned them not to rent their premises for such parties and encourage illegal activities. We have counseled them as well,” a senior official from Cyberabad said.