IT Department Conducts Raids at Celebrity-Linked Bengaluru Pub
The Income Tax (IT) department carried out search operations at Bastian Garden City, a popular upscale pub and restaurant located in Bengaluru. The establishment is notably co-owned by Bollywood actress and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty. The raids, which took place recently, are a significant development in an ongoing legal matter concerning the venue's operations.
The Trigger: An FIR for Violating Operating Hours
The direct catalyst for the tax department's action was a formal police complaint filed earlier in the same week. The Cubbon Park police station, under Bengaluru's Central Division, registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Bastian Garden City. The core allegation in the FIR was that the pub was operating beyond the legally permissible hours mandated by local regulations and its license conditions.
This police case brought the business under heightened scrutiny from various government agencies. Following the legal filing, income tax authorities moved swiftly to initiate their own investigations into the financial affairs of the establishment and its stakeholders.
Details of the Raid and Ongoing Scrutiny
While the exact scope and scale of the seizures, if any, are not yet fully disclosed, such raids typically involve a thorough examination of financial records. Officials likely scrutinized documents related to:
- Sales and revenue accounts
- Cash flow and transaction histories
- Tax filings and compliance records
- Partnership and ownership details
The presence of a high-profile celebrity like Shilpa Shetty as a co-owner has inevitably amplified public and media interest in the case. The investigations aim to determine if there are any discrepancies between the declared income and the actual financial transactions of the business.
Potential Repercussions and Industry Implications
The consequences of these parallel actions—the police FIR and the IT raids—could be substantial for the pub's management. Potential outcomes include:
For the police case: Legal proceedings, possible fines, and stricter enforcement of operating hour rules for the venue and potentially other nightlife spots in the city.
For the IT investigation: If any irregularities are found, the authorities could levy heavy penalties, demand unpaid taxes with interest, and initiate further legal action for tax evasion.
This incident also serves as a reminder to the hospitality industry, especially high-end venues, about the importance of strict adherence to both municipal regulations and financial compliance. It highlights how a violation in one area, such as licensing laws, can trigger comprehensive audits from other government departments.
The development was reported on 17 December 2025, marking a challenging turn for the celebrity-backed establishment in India's tech capital.
