A freshers’ party at Kiki Pub in Pune sparked controversy after allegations of underage students being allowed entry and served alcohol.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNS) intervened, accusing organisers of violating licensing rules.
Pune Police have now made DigiLocker ID verification mandatory for all pubs and bars to prevent underage entry.
Pune, 1st September 2025: A freshers’ party at Kiki Pub in Rajabahadur Mills has led to a major controversy after reports claimed that underage students were allowed inside and served alcohol without proper checks.
The party, which drew students from well-known city colleges, allegedly had attendees as young as 17. No identity verification was carried out at the entry gate, and alcohol was reportedly served freely. The incident came under sharp criticism after activists from the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNS) stormed into the venue, accusing organisers of flouting rules and risking the safety of minors.
Following the uproar, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar announced strict new measures. He said that all pubs and licensed bars in Pune must now verify customer age through DigiLocker before allowing entry. Colleges have also been asked to caution their students about attending such parties.
Investigations revealed that the event was held without mandatory police permission and was attended by around 100–150 students. State excise officers and police later visited the site and initiated action against the organisers.
Senior officials stated that organisers ignored basic regulations and put students at risk. The incident has reignited debate in Pune over unsupervised college parties and the responsibilities of event organisers and educational institutions.
With the new digital verification mandate, authorities expect stricter enforcement of the law at age-restricted venues across the city.