Nagpur: In a crackdown under “Operation Thunder” aimed at curbing drug and tobacco-related offences, the Ambazari Police Station raided a café in Gokulpeth and booked its operator for allegedly running an illegal hookah parlour.

Police conducted the raid late on March 19 extending past midnight, acting on reliable information. During the operation at Nimbus Café, accused Aniket Panchsheel Badge (28), a resident of Jaripatka, was allegedly found serving hookah with prohibited tobacco products to customers without any licence.

Authorities said the accused was operating the setup for monetary gain in violation of legal provisions. Hookah pots, flavoured tobacco and related paraphernalia worth approximately ₹12,000 were seized from the premises.

A case has been registered under Section 274 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with Sections 5, 6, 7 and 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (Maharashtra Amendment, 2018). Police also invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act for keeping the establishment open beyond permitted hours.

Further investigation is ongoing.