Nagpur, March 11: A midnight raid by the Bajaj Nagar Police Station led to the seizure of hookah equipment and flavoured tobacco products worth ₹29,700 from a café operating at Bajaj Nagar Chowk. Police have registered a case against the café manager and owner for allegedly serving hookah in violation of tobacco control laws.
According to officials, the police team was patrolling the area on March 10 when, at around 11:55 pm, they received specific information that hookah was being served at “Celestier Café.” Acting swiftly, a team led by Sub-Inspector Deepak Pawar reached the premises shortly after midnight along with panch witnesses.
On entering the café, officers noticed a strong smell of tobacco smoke. The establishment, measuring approximately 30×50 feet, had six tables arranged inside. Two customers present at the spot identified themselves as residents of Ramnagar, Telangkhedi and Reshimbagh Road, respectively.
During questioning, the café manager, Abhay Pramod Rao (34), stated that hookah and flavoured tobacco were being provided as per the instructions of the owner, Amit Bhimdev Ingole (35), a resident of Zingabai Takli.
Police seized 13 glass hookah pots fitted with steel pipes, 13 rubber hoses, 15 clay chillums, and multiple packets of flavoured tobacco, including Double Apple, Strawberry, Sultani Pan, Orange, Blueberry, Brain Fiza and Mint. Samples were collected for chemical analysis, while the remaining stock was confiscated in the presence of witnesses.
A case has been registered under provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 (as amended), along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The action was carried out under the supervision of senior city police officials.
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