Nagpur: In a late-night crackdown on illegal hookah parlours, Pachpaoli police raided Hammers Cafe and Restaurant in Nagpur and uncovered an illegal hookah operation. Police have registered a case against the cafe's owner, Dheeraj Goencha, manager Ranjit Koche, and 30 patrons found at the premises during the raid.

Pachpaoli Police Inspector Anirudh Puri said the action was carried out during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

"The police team raided Hammers Cafe, which was earlier operating as Firangish Cafe. During the search, we found that the establishment was illegally serving hookah to customers. The owner and manager have been booked, while 30 patrons present inside the cafe at the time of the raid have also been booked under the relevant provisions," PI Puri said.

Police have registered an offence under the relevant provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the establishment was operating without the required permissions and if any additional violations were committed.

The raid is part of the ongoing drive by Nagpur Police against the illegal operation of hookah parlours and violations of tobacco control laws in the city.