Crime Branch Unit-II conducted a raid on Thursday at Thikana Café located on Mount Road in the Sadar area, resulting in the arrest of its Manager for allegedly serving hookah to customers. The police confiscated 10 hookah pots, packets of flavoured tobacco, and beer bottles worth approximately Rs 66,000 during the operation. The accused, identified as Nikhil Khushal Kumariya, aged 30 and residing at 218 Sudam Road, Itwari, was caught red-handed during the act.
A case has been registered against Kumariya at the Sadar Police Station under Sections 4(21) and 5(21) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act. The accused also faces charges under Section 68 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
After the arrest, the accused was handed over to the Sadar Police for further investigation into the matter. The raid serves as a stern message against establishments involved in illegal hookah serving and reinforces the authorities’ commitment to upholding the laws pertaining to the prohibition of tobacco products.