Treat Bar Manager Assaulted in Varanasi; ‘Goonda Tax’ Demanded, Owner Allegedly Threatened With Murder

Varanasi, August 2: What began as a late-night demand for beer after closing hours allegedly turned into assault, intimidation and an extortion threat outside Treat Bar near Varuna Bridge in Varanasi.

The manager of the establishment has accused a group of men of attacking him, demanding money for allowing the bar to operate and threatening to murder both him and the bar owner. An FIR has been registered at Cantt Police Station against two named accused and three unidentified individuals.

The complainant, Raj Kumar Singh, is a resident of Nai Basti in the Lalpur-Pandeypur police station area and works as the manager of Treat Bar.

According to his complaint, the incident began at around 11:40 pm on July 28. The bar had closed for the night, and Singh was reportedly giving final instructions to the security guard before locking the shutter.

At that point, Yogesh Rai, Vishal Sonkar and three other men allegedly arrived outside the establishment and demanded beer.

Singh told police that he informed the group that the bar had already closed and that no alcohol could be served. The refusal allegedly angered the men, who began abusing him and threatening him with serious consequences.

Manager called Dial 112-

As the confrontation intensified, Singh reportedly contacted the police through the Dial 112 emergency service. A Police Response Vehicle reached the location shortly afterwards.

According to the complaint, the police personnel remained at the spot for some time before leaving. Singh then completed the closing formalities and began travelling home.

However, the matter allegedly did not end outside the bar.

Singh has claimed that the accused followed him and intercepted him on the way. They allegedly stopped him in the middle of the road and assaulted him.

During the confrontation, the men allegedly described themselves as shooters associated with Shani Singh and used the claimed association to intimidate the manager.

At this stage, police have not announced any evidence establishing that the accused actually have such an association. The purported gang connection forms part of the allegations made by the complainant and remains subject to investigation.

Allegedly stopped for a second time-

Singh reportedly managed to escape after the first assault and continued towards his home. However, according to his complaint, the accused followed him again and intercepted him near the Jalan area.

The manager alleged that he was assaulted for a second time.

It was during this confrontation that the accused allegedly demanded “goonda tax” for allowing the bar to continue operating. No specific amount of money demanded by the group has been publicly disclosed.

Singh claimed that the men warned him that both he and the owner of Treat Bar would be killed if the payment was not made.

The alleged demand transformed what had initially begun as a dispute over the refusal to serve beer into a case involving accusations of extortion and criminal intimidation.

Incident reportedly captured on CCTV-

The complainant has also claimed that parts of the incident were recorded by CCTV cameras installed at the bar.

The footage could prove important in establishing the identity of those present outside the establishment and reconstructing the sequence of events before the manager left for home.

It was not immediately clear whether police had formally taken possession of all the available footage. Investigators are expected to examine the recordings, statements of the bar’s security personnel and other possible witnesses.

Footage from cameras installed along the route where the manager was allegedly intercepted could also help police verify the subsequent allegations.

FIR registered at Cantt Police Station-

Following the manager’s complaint, Cantt Police registered a case against Yogesh Rai, Vishal Sonkar and three unidentified individuals.

Cantt Station House Officer Rajkishore Pandey said that an FIR had been registered and the allegations were being investigated.

Police are expected to examine the CCTV footage, verify the movements of the accused and record statements from those present at the bar around closing time.

Investigators will also have to determine whether the alleged demand for money was made as part of a planned extortion attempt or whether the confrontation escalated after the group was refused beer.

The purported reference to Shani Singh is also expected to be examined. Merely invoking the name of a criminal figure does not establish an actual association, and any such link would have to be supported by evidence gathered during the investigation.

Allegations yet to be tested-

The case is presently based on the account provided by the bar manager. The allegations against the named and unidentified accused have not yet been tested before a court.

Details regarding any arrests or questioning of the accused had not been officially announced at the time of publication.

Police said the investigation was continuing, and further action would be taken based on the evidence collected in the case.