Nagpur: In a continued crackdown on illegal hookah parlours, Nagpur Police have sealed Publico Café, making it the fourth café shut in Zone II within days. The café has been ordered closed for 15 days after failing to comply with prior notices issued by authorities.

The action is part of an intensified drive led by Dr Ravinder Kumar Singhal, who has warned that repeated violations could lead to permanent closure of cafés involved in illegal activities.

Earlier, three cafés—Soro Café, Nimbus Lounge, and Hush Haze Café—were sealed for 30 days under Ambazari police limits for serving banned tobacco-based hookah despite warnings from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II). Police said Publico Café had also received similar notices but continued operations in violation of rules.

During the crackdown, police conducted raids at multiple locations and booked a total of 106 individuals, including customers. At Soro Café in Gokulpeth, operator Dnyaneshwar Paunikar (34) and staff were caught serving hookah to 22 customers. Authorities seized materials worth ₹1.16 lakh and booked 29 people.

At Nimbus Lounge, operator Sheikh Sameer alias Vakil Ahmed (32) was found serving 26 customers, leading to the seizure of goods worth ₹71,055 and booking of 41 individuals. Similarly, at Hush Haze Café, operator Arslan Mirza (24) was caught serving 13 customers, and 15 people were booked.

In a separate raid, Netflix Chill Café in Manavnagar under Kapil Nagar police limits was also found violating norms, with 21 persons booked and materials worth ₹82,995 seized.

Police officials stated that weak enforcement earlier had allowed such illegal hookah operations to grow. However, with stricter monitoring now in place, authorities have reiterated that illegal hookah cafés in Nagpur will face strict action, including permanent shutdowns for repeat offences.