Pune: In an operation by the Wagholi Police, an illegal hookah lounge operating out of a cottage room in a cafe was raided on Saturday (January 4) night. Despite the ban on serving hookah, customers, primarily college students, were being provided tobacco-based hookah flavors and supplies.

The raid was conducted at the Cafe located on JSPM Road. Police officials acted on a tip-off they received while patrolling the area. Upon entering the premises, officers discovered that a cottage room was being used to serve hookah products to customers.

The accused, identified as Madhav Venkat Kalse (22), was arrested on the spot. The police seized hookah flavors and related supplies valued at ₹1,150 from the scene. A complaint was filed by police officer Vishal Bhimrao Gaikwad at Wagholi Police Station. The investigation is being led by Police Havaldar Prashant Karnwar.

Authorities have reiterated the strict ban on hookah and related activities, emphasizing the need to protect the youth from such addictive practices.

Recently on December 29, 2024, police raided an illegal hookah parlor operating at Billions Lounge, a hotel on Gangadham Road, and arrested three individuals for offering hookah without proper authorization. The arrested individuals have been identified as Bharat Devappa Gawade (33), Dipendra Manbahadur Khadka (30), and Siddharth Singh Ashok Kumar Singh (22), all residents of Upper Indiranagar in Pune.