Nagpur: In a major crackdown against the growing menace of illegal hookah parlours in the city, the Nagpur City Police sealed three prominent cafes in Gokulpeth for 30 days after late-night raids exposed the open sale and consumption of banned tobacco-based hookah products among youngsters, including several girls.
The action, carried out under the jurisdiction of Ambazari Police Station on May 11, sent shockwaves across the city after police found a total of 84 youngsters inside the three establishments allegedly indulging in illegal hookah activities.
Gold Rate
May 13- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Police officials described the operation as part of an intensified drive against hookah parlours and drug-linked activities flourishing under the guise of cafes and lounges.
The first raid was conducted at Soro Cafe located in Bhange Complex on N B Road, Gokulpeth. Police allegedly caught operator Dnyaneshwar Ganpati Paunikar along with six waiters serving prohibited hookah products to customers. During the raid, officers found 17 male and five female customers consuming hookah inside the premises. Police seized hookah pots, flavoured tobacco products and related materials collectively valued at Rs 1.16 lakh. In all, 29 persons were booked in the case.
In another major action, police raided Nimbus Lounge situated at Laxmi Apartment on NB Road. The operator, Sheikh Sameer Vakil Ahmed (32), a resident of Shaha Nagar in Gittikhadan, along with his staff, was allegedly found operating an illegal hookah setup for customers. During the raid, police found 23 male and three female customers inside the lounge. Materials worth Rs 71,055 were seized from the premises, while 41 persons were booked.
The third raid was conducted at Hash Cafe in Gokulpeth, where operator Arslan Fahim Mirza (24), a resident of Mahal, and a waiter were allegedly caught supplying hookah products to customers. Police found nine male and four female customers consuming hookah at the café. Goods worth Rs 40,780 were seized and 15 persons were booked in the case.
Officials revealed that prior notices had already been issued to the café operators by Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 2 Nityanand Jha regarding illegal activities being conducted at the establishments. However, after the operators allegedly failed to respond or comply with the directives, authorities ordered the immediate sealing of Soro Cafe, Nimbus Lounge and Hash Cafe for a period of 30 days beginning May 11.
Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal made it clear that the crackdown would continue aggressively across the city. He warned that illegal hookah parlours, tobacco violations and drug-related activities would be dealt with “with an iron hand” and no violators would be spared.
The large number of youngsters found inside the cafes has once again raised serious concerns over the unchecked spread of hookah culture and substance-related activities among youth in Nagpur.
