Three held after raids on outlets ‘serving hookah’ in Gurgaon
According to the FIR registered against eight people, the manager could not produce any licence under Poison Possession and Sales Rules 1966 as applicable to Haryana.
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During the raid, police said they seized nine hookah pipes, along with other materials. A significant amount of tobacco flavours were also confiscated. (Express File Photo)Two outlets allegedly serving hookah were raided and three people were arrested in Gurgaon Friday following a joint operation by the Chief Minister Flying Squad and the Drug Control Department.
The Flying Squad carried out the arrests after they were informed that customers in cafes in Sector 53 were being served hookahs in different flavours. When the team arrived at the spot, they allegedly found two cafes in Central Plaza Mall operating a hookah bar. The premises were shared by two brands, Xero Degree G-20 Café and Imly.
According to the FIR registered against eight people, the manager could not produce any licence under Poison Possession and Sales Rules 1966 as applicable to Haryana.
“They were also asked to produce the valid Drugs license under Section 18(c) of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 for sale or for distribution, or sell, or stock or exhibit or offer for sale drugs as it is mandatory under the Poison Act to procure any poison for a medicinal product. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 in Schedule K mentions that Nicotine gum containing up to 2 mg of Nicotine are exempted subjected to the condition that such a product has been manufactured under a valid drug manufacturing licence,” stated the FIR.
The three arrested persons have been identified as Kamal, Xero Degree Café’s manager; Prabhakar, Imli Outlet’s manager, who could not produce any documents related to operating the hookah; and one Sajid. Police said the customers were served hookahs in different flavours on demand, priced from Rs 900 to 1,000.
During the raid, police said they seized nine hookah pipes, along with other materials. A significant amount of tobacco flavours were also confiscated.
The raid was carried out as Section 144 is still in force on hookah consumption.
The FIR is under various sections of the Poisons Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and IPC at Sector 53 police station.
Moreover, to serve hookah on a premises with no segregated smoking lounge and proper ventilation is an act of negligence by owners of the brand which is likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, police said.
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