Nagpur: Continuing its drive against substance abuse under “Operation Thunder – Let’s Unite for a Drug-Free Society,” Nagpur Police have registered a case against two persons for allegedly running an illegal hookah parlour in the city.

Based on specific information, police conducted a raid on March 14 between 10.40 pm and 11.05 pm at Downtown Hookah Parlour located on Mount Road in Buti Compound under the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station.

During the raid, police found the parlour owner Gaurav Shriram Bokde (33), a resident of Dnyaneshwar Nagar, Manewada Road, Ajni, and Paresh Madan Sorte (19), a resident near Nikas Mandir, Lakadganj, allegedly providing hookah services with prohibited tobacco products to customers without valid permission.

Investigations revealed that the accused were operating the hookah parlour illegally for financial gain. Police seized hookah pots of various types, flavoured tobacco products and other related materials collectively valued at Rs 11,400.

A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 4(A) and 21(A) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Amendment Act, 2018. Further probe is in progress.

The action was executed under the guidance of senior officers of the North Division and Sadar Division as part of the ongoing anti-narcotics enforcement campaign.