Nagpur: An alarming surge in footfall at cafés across East and South Nagpur ahead of Valentine’s Day has triggered serious concern among residents and law enforcement agencies, with many such establishments now coming under the police scanner for allegedly operating under the garb of “private couple spaces.” The issue gained urgency after the recent night-long violence in Nandanvan, which exposed deeper fault lines linked to unchecked late-night café culture.
Several cafés, aggressively promoting themselves on social media, openly advertise “private cabins,” curtained enclosures and dimly lit compartments, features that locals allege have little to do with food or hospitality and more to do with attracting vulnerable young crowds. These promotions, often offering “privacy for couples” at throwaway rates, have gone viral, drawing students and teenagers in large numbers.
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04 Feb 2026
Hassled residents of Gurudeo Nagar and Nandanvan alleged that the mushrooming of such cafés has created an ecosystem conducive to substance abuse, indiscipline and lawlessness. Locals claimed that open smoking, liquor consumption and suspected drug use have become routine inside and around these establishments, particularly during late-night hours.
“Cafés in Nandanvan, Gurudeo Nagar and adjoining areas have installed private compartments with curtains and low lighting. The focus is not on food, but on selling secrecy,” said a trader from Gurudeo Nagar. Residents described the set-ups as “highly questionable” and inappropriate in densely populated residential localities.
Police sources confirmed that social media promotions from these cafés disproportionately highlight privacy and exclusivity for couples rather than quality or compliance. “The marketing is clearly designed to lure young people looking for secluded spaces,” said a senior police official, adding that such venues often become difficult to monitor once crowds build up late at night.
Residents alleged that many of these cafés have turned into regular meeting points for student groups, with little fear of law enforcement. “Young girls with faces covered are seen entering these cafés and leaving in visibly unstable condition, often riding pillion with boys,” said a Nandanvan resident, requesting anonymity. Parents and community members expressed deep concern that impressionable youths are being drawn into harmful habits under the false pretext of harmless hangouts.
The issue has now reached senior police levels. Sources said Joint Commissioner of Police Navinchandra Reddy, acting on directions from Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal, has instructed local units to intensify checks and take action against cafés indulging in illegal activities under the façade of hospitality. “Necessary instructions have been issued. We are planning stringent action under the CP’s leadership,” Reddy said.
The café controversy resurfaced sharply following the recent Nandanvan violence, where a confrontation escalated into arson and nearly triggered communal tension. While the immediate trigger was reportedly a dispute over public nuisance, police sources indicated that the incident exposed a larger problem of unregulated late-night gatherings, rowdy behaviour and absence of effective oversight around these cafés.
Residents have now decided to escalate the matter. “We plan to meet the Commissioner of Police and the District Collector to demand strict regulation and accountability,” a community member said.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the spotlight remains firmly on whether authorities will act decisively to rein in what many locals describe as a growing menace disguised as café culture—or allow the problem to fester further in the city’s residential heartlands.
