In a continuing crackdown on illegal hookah parlours, Nagpur Police have sealed Publico Café, making it the fourth café to face action in Zone II within the past few days. Authorities have ordered the café to remain shut for 15 days after it allegedly failed to comply with earlier notices issued by the police.
The action forms part of an intensified enforcement drive spearheaded by senior police officials, who have warned that repeated violations could result in permanent closure of establishments involved in illegal hookah operations.
Earlier, three cafés — Soro Café, Nimbus Lounge and Hush Haze Café — were sealed for 30 days under the jurisdiction of Ambazari Police Station for allegedly serving banned tobacco-based hookah despite prior warnings from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II). Police officials said Publico Café had also been served notices earlier but allegedly continued operations in violation of regulations.
As part of the crackdown, police teams conducted raids at several locations and booked a total of 106 individuals, including customers. At Soro Café in Gokulpeth, operator Dnyaneshwar Paunikar (34) and staff were allegedly found serving hookah to 22 customers. Authorities seized hookah-related materials worth Rs 1.16 lakh and registered cases against 29 persons.
At Nimbus Lounge, operator Sheikh Sameer alias Vakil Ahmed (32) was allegedly found serving 26 customers, resulting in the seizure of materials worth Rs 71,055 and action against 41 individuals. Similarly, at Hush Haze Café, operator Arslan Mirza (24) was allegedly caught serving 13 customers, with 15 people booked during the operation.
In a separate raid, Netflix Chill Café in Manavnagar under Kapil Nagar Police Station limits was also found allegedly violating norms. Police booked 21 individuals and seized materials valued at Rs 82,995 from the premises.
Police officials stated that weak enforcement in the past had allowed illegal hookah parlours to flourish in parts of the city. However, with stricter monitoring now underway, authorities have reiterated that cafés found repeatedly violating rules could face stringent action, including permanent shutdown.
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