Nagpur police raid hotel event, allege minors smoking hookah; case against four

Nagpur: Sadar police raided Hotel Tuli International on Sunday night. The action allegedly revealed that unlicensed hookah was being served during an event held without the required permission. Police allegedly found several minor boys and girls smoking hookah in rooms on the hotel's fourth floor.

Police seized hookah equipment and other items. A case has been registered against four people: the hotel owner, the manager and two organisers of the event.

The accused include hotel manager Firoz, event organiser Abid Shafique Qazi (20, resident of Nerul, Mumbai) and Alisha Manuwar Cherry (22, resident of Panvel, Mumbai). A case has also been registered against the hotel owner.

According to police, an event called "Shehar Gulabi" was organised at the hotel on September 27 from 6 pm until midnight. Police had allegedly received information that the event was going on without the required permission and that guests were being served hookah in the hotel rooms.

On receiving this information, Sadar police laid a trap and raided the hotel. During the inspection, officials allegedly found that the organisers did not have the permission required for the event.

Police also allegedly saw several minors smoking hookah in the fourth-floor rooms. Police seized hookah-related material and other items there.

Rooms allegedly not registered

During the raid, police also allegedly found that the rooms used for hookah had not been registered as required. The alleged irregularity came to light after police questioned a waiter.

The action was carried out under the supervision of ACP of the Sadar division Shivaji Gaikwad and Senior Police Inspector Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar.

Police have booked all four accused under Sections 4(a) and 21(a) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and other relevant sections. Further investigation is under way.