The raid was carried out after police received credible information about illegal hookah being served at The Spicy Floor Café and Cloud Kitchen. Upon entering the premises, officers found hookah pots and flavored tobacco being supplied to patrons in violation of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, as amended in Maharashtra.
Police registered a case against four individuals, including the café operator, under relevant sections of the law. Hookah equipment and flavored tobacco products were seized as evidence during the operation. Authorities are probing the extent of the illegal activity and whether other establishments in the area are involved in similar violations.
This raid is part of a larger, city-wide campaign by Pune Police to curb illegal hookah parlours, which have proliferated in recent years despite regulatory bans. Similar actions have been taken in other areas, including Market Yard and Lulla Nagar, where police have booked multiple operators and seized contraband.
The crackdown has also exposed instances of police officers accepting bribes to allow illegal hookah joints to operate, resulting in suspensions and disciplinary action against implicated personnel. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has reiterated a zero-tolerance approach to illicit businesses, warning officers and establishment owners of strict consequences for non-compliance and corruption
Operating hookah parlours without proper authorization is a violation of state regulations and poses significant health risks to customers. The Maharashtra government has imposed stringent rules to curb the use of flavored tobacco and hookah in public places, citing public health concerns and the need to protect youth from tobacco addiction.
Offenders face prosecution under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act and related state amendments, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. The raids serve as a warning to both business owners and consumers about the legal and health risks associated with illegal hookah consumption.
Local residents have welcomed the police action, expressing relief over efforts to regulate illegal activities in the area. The Wanawadi Police have assured continued vigilance and urged citizens to report suspicious activities related to tobacco and hookah parlours.
