Kolkata Police conducts raids across city a day after hookah bars ban, 3 arrested – India Today

Kolkata Police, on Friday, conducted raids at several locations in the city and arrested three people, a day after banning hookah bars in the city.

By Rajesh Saha: A day after the West Bengal government issued a ban on hookah bars, Kolkata Police conducted raids across the city and made arrests for running illegal hookah bars in the city.

The decision to ban hookah bars was taken by Kolkata municipality citing the adverse impact on public health, especially youngsters.

After this decision was announced by Firhad Hakim, the Mayor of Kolkata, the police started conducting raids across the city on Friday night.

Also Read | Bengal government bans hookah bars in Kolkata

Sources said teams of the anti-rowdy section of the Kolkata Police detective department raided several restaurants and bars till midnight and found them selling hookah in two restaurants. “Total three persons have been arrested by the detective department for running a hookah bar and selling hookahs to public,” Kolkata police source said.

Kolkata police said, “Raids were conducted last night at a restaurant after receiving information from a credible source. The restaurant, under name as “5 Point”, was situated at ground floor of premises no. 114/4A, Bidhan Sarani. One person was arrested for running a hookah bar at that place. Over this issue, a specific case has been recorded at Tala police station under section of 188/120B IPC r/w 20(2) COTPA act 2003.”

Another team of the detective department of Kolkata police conducted a raid at a restaurant under the name and style as “Daddy’s Cafe”, situated at 115, Muzaffar Ahmed Street under Park Street police station area and arrested two persons for selling hookah illegally to the general people. Over this issue, a specific case has been registered at Park Street police station under Section 20(2) COPTA Act, 2003.

All arrested accused will be produced before the court on Saturday.