Nagpur: Sadar police raided a flat in Byramji Town on Monday afternoon and busted an alleged illegal hookah parlour operating from the premises. The raid was conducted between 3.45 pm and 4.20 pmat Flat No. 2 in Building No. 9.

According to police, the premises were being used to provide and consume prohibited tobacco-based hookah products. During the raid, police found flat owner Devkumar Ramesh Zhanjhote (41), waiter Harsh Vijay Gangale (20) and customers Lucky Suresh Ahula (27) and Yash Dinesh Ahula (27), all allegedly involved in the activity.

Police seized hookah parlour equipment, hookah pots, tobacco products in various flavours and other material from the flat.

A case has been registered against the four at Sadar police station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 4A and 21A of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Maharashtra Amendment Act, 2018. Further investigation is underway.

Hookah parlours under police scanner

The raid comes amid concerns over alleged illegal hookah parlours operating in various parts of Nagpur, particularly Dharampeth, Ambazari and Jaripatka. Police sources said some establishments allegedly serve hookah from morning until late at night, with young people frequently visiting such premises.

The latest action has once again brought the operation of unauthorised hookah parlours in residential and commercial areas under the police scanner.