Pune: Taking the cognisance of the hookah parlours running their show in the city, it seems that Pune Police are in action mode as they have started taking strict measures against those running such illegal restaurants here.
Pune Police have warned the restaurants of multiple areas in the city. The police have warned restos of Koregaon Park, Mundhwa, Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar and Kharadi.
Police have warned that if found serving hookah, there will be stringent action taken against them. Police have ordered that if restaurants found serving hookah, their licence will be confiscated and cancelled. ACP Kishor Jadhav of Yerawada informed that Hotel Theka was raided where police have seized liquor, equipment serving hookah and more.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, along with senior police officers of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Crime Branch, has carried several raids in Pune city recently.
Seven restaurants from Yerawada, followed by six in Viman Nagar and three restaurants in Kharadi, have been given an ultimatum to stop hookah. The police have also warned that if the establishments are found continuing the service, their licence will be suspended. According to sources, the hookah service is a contributing factor in generating immense revenue for many restaurants. A pot (Sheesha) ranges between Rs 400-Rs 900 while maximum customers also order food helping the resto owners earn well.
The ANC of the city crime branch last month also carried out raids at multiple sites where various banned tobacco flavours of hookah were sold illegally. The team seized forbidden tobacco flavours material worth Rs seven lakh.
Anil Deshmukh, Home Minister of Maharashtra has stated that the head of the police station will be held accountable if hookah parlours are found functioning in the area.
Do you know India has the second-largest number of tobacco consumers (268 million) around the world!
