Lucknow: Lucknow police have taken stringent action against an illegally operated hookah bar at ‘Garden Cafe’ near IT Chauraha, Mahanagar. Acting on a tip-off, a police team from Mahanagar station raided the establishment and found 12 active hookahs in operation. One accused, identified as Anuj Kumar, was arrested on the spot, while the owner, Deepak, managed to flee.
The accused was unable to produce a valid license for running a hookah bar. Consequently, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Tobacco Prohibition Act at Mahanagar Police Station. Authorities also confiscated 12 hookahs, multiple pipes, and flavored tobacco used in the operation.
This raid is part of an ongoing crackdown against unauthorized businesses that violate public health regulations. Hookah bars, often found operating without proper licenses, have been flagged by law enforcement for using intoxicants mixed with tobacco, raising serious health concerns. Further investigations are underway to apprehend the absconding owner and ensure compliance with legal protocols.
The arrested individual and seized items are now in police custody, and further legal action is being pursued.
Incident Overview
On February 13, 2025, while patrolling the area, the local police received a tip-off about an illegal hookah bar running at Garden Café, IT Chauraha. Acting on this information, the Mahanagar police team reached the location and found 12 hookahs being used illegally.
One accused, Anuj Kumar, son of Ram Kumar, a resident of Deoria, Thana Thangaon, Sitapur, was caught serving hookah. Upon being asked for a valid license, he failed to produce one. Following this, he was arrested under the Tobacco Prohibition Act (Case No. 31/25, Section 4/25).
Meanwhile, the main operator of the hookah bar, Deepak, son of Bhagrath, managed to flee the scene.
Mode of Operation
The accused lured customers by falsely claiming to have a valid hookah bar license while serving hookahs mixed with intoxicating flavors.
Details of Arrested Accused
- Anuj Kumar, Son of Ram Kumar
- Age: 21 years
- Resident of Deoria, Thana Thangaon, Sitapur
Seized Items
- 12 Hookahs (operational)
- 8 Hookah Pipes
Police Team Involved in the Operation
- Inspector Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, Mahanagar Police Station
- Sub-Inspector Kunwar Veer Vikram Singh, Mahanagar Police Station
- Sub-Inspector Shahenshah Khan, Mahanagar Police Station
- Sub-Inspector Anurag, Mahanagar Police Station
- Sub-Inspector Aryan Sharma, Mahanagar Police Station
- Sub-Inspector Rajbaran Yadav, Mahanagar Police Station
- Sub-Inspector Sudhir Kumar, Mahanagar Police Station
- Constable Ramesh Kumar, Mahanagar Police Station
The police have launched further investigations to nab the main accused, Deepak, and shut down illegal hookah bars in the area.
