Nagpur: An illegal hookah parlour operating from a cafe in Shivaji Nagar was busted by the Escort Team of Nagpur Police during a raid early on August 15. Police booked 20 people, including the cafe manager, staff and customers, after allegedly finding them involved in the illegal serving and consumption of tobacco-based hookah products.

The raid was conducted between 4.30 am and 5.30 am at Colaba Cafe, located at Vijay Arcade Apartment in Shivaji Nagar under the jurisdiction of Ambazari Police Station, based on reliable information received by the Escort Team.

Police said cafe manager Abhay Pramod Rao (34) was found allegedly providing prohibited tobacco-based hookah products to 16 customers with the assistance of Aniket Ishwar Ramteke (29) and Akash Devanand Pawane (24).

During questioning, Rao allegedly told police that the cafe owner was a man identified as Sameer Sheikh. The police investigation allegedly found that the accused were operating the hookah parlour without permission for financial gain.

Police seized hookah pots, various flavoured tobacco products and other equipment worth ₹36,915 from the premises.

A total of 20 people, including the cafe owner, manager, waiters and customers, were booked at Ambazari Police Station under Section 274 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relevant provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, the Maharashtra amendment of 2018, and Section 33 read with 131 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

Further investigation is underway.