Nagpur: In a late-night crackdown under “Operation Thunder,” Nagpur City Police raided Netflix and Chill Café for allegedly operating an illegal hookah parlour under the guise of a café. The operation was carried out during the intervening night of May 9 and 10 as part of a citywide drive against unlawful hookah businesses.

The action was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, who has directed strict enforcement against establishments allegedly serving tobacco-based hookah products in violation of the law.

According to police officials, accused Sohail Khan Firoz Khan (22), along with one waiter and 19 customers, was found present at the café during the raid. During inspection, police allegedly discovered that tobacco-based hookah substances harmful to human health were being served to customers and arrangements for consumption had been made inside the premises.

Police seized hookah pots, hookah flavours, smoking apparatus, refrigerators, freezers, tables, chairs and other related material collectively valued at ₹82,995 from the spot.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act and Section 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to adulteration and sale of harmful substances.

Nagpur Police said the drive against illegally operated hookah parlours and similar establishments across the city will be intensified further in the coming days. Further investigation in the matter is underway.