Pune: Senior officials from Kondhwa Police Station have been accused of vandalizing a snacks shop adjacent to Wadkar Wine Shop for allegedly selling chakna (snacks), bottled water, and glasses despite multiple warnings.

Shop owner Sunil Shivaji Mukde claims that police damaged items in his store, detained him at the station until late at night, and filed a case against him for operating beyond permitted hours. He was allegedly instructed not to reopen his shop.

However, Senior Police Inspector Vinay Patankar defended the action, stating that the shop had been issued three notices prohibiting the sale of such items, as they encouraged public alcohol consumption near the store, leading to law-and-order concerns. People often purchase liquor from the wine shop, then buy snacks, water, and glasses from nearby stores before consuming alcohol in the vicinity. This, he stated, has previously resulted in two to three criminal incidents.

According to reports from both the police and the shopkeeper, Sunil Mukde runs a snacks store next to Wadkar Wine Shop in Kondhwa. Mukde stated that his shop operates within legal hours, closing by 10:30 PM, and denied any involvement in unlawful activities. However, he alleged that police had repeatedly threatened action against him.

On Friday evening, between 6:30 and 7:00 PM, Senior Inspector Vinay Patankar allegedly entered the shop and knocked items off the counter, causing damage. The shop was subsequently shut down, and Mukde was taken to the police station, where he remained until 11:00 PM. Later, a case was filed against him for allegedly keeping the shop open late.