Nagpur: Even as Maharashtra government followed the Gujarat’s stricture and banned hookah in the state, the menace is far from over, atleast in Nagpur. Close on the heels of this ban, yet another hookah joint was raided at Chill Out Cafe and Restaurant in Hiwri Nagar under Nandanvan.
City’s crime branch sleuths have also booked five persons under the relevant act. It may be mentioned that after the amendment in the act, there is a provision of fine of Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of up to three years for violations.
During the raid, accused who have been booked are owners — Rohit Naharkar (23), a resident of Gangabai ghat; Harshad Kiran kumar Shahu (20), a resident of Plot No. 103, New Prashant Nagar, Hiwri Nagar; and waiters — Harshad Arvind Badule (20), Suraj Dilip Patne (19) and Nilesh Anil Sambare (22). The cops seized eight hookah pots, flavoured tobacco, DVR and other material collectively worth Rs 24,000.
DCP Detection Sambhaji Kadam said that now the police will double attack on such spots and gear to put an end to the hookah parlours.
