Delhi police raids illegal hookah bar in Shahdara

Oct 08, 2023

New Delhi [India], October 8 : Delhi police raided an illegal hookah bar in Delhi's Shadara area after receiving secret information, said sources, adding that underage girls were employed to serve liquor.
Earlier, some locals had also complained about illegal activities at hookah bars in the area of Shahdara District. The team of Special Staff was tasked with preventing and detecting such crimes in the area.
The Special Staff Team received information that two people, namely Gaurav and Pramod, were going to organise an illegal hookah party at the Kaanch Club in Delhi's Jhilmil Colony.
During the raid, it was found that the club was serving tobacco hooka, which is banned in Delhi under the COTPA Act. During the investigation, it was found that underage girls were working at the bar to serve liquor.
Also, it was found that an excise licence was issued in the name of Pramod Choudhary, who is the manager of the club.
Illicit liquor, hookah, tobacco packets, and other illegal articles were seized from the spot and taken into police possession.
After receiving sufficient evidence, legal action has been taken. A FIR under the Excise Act and the COTPA Act 2003 was registered at Police Station Seemapuri. Police have recovered 11 bottles of Jagermeister brand, 16 Hooka with pipes and drums, 8 Hooka Drum plates, and a huge number of tobacco packets. Further investigation into the case is underway.
Ever since the Delhi liquor-gate scam broke out, the Delhi police have become more vigilant of the illegal selling of alcohol in the city and of all those who hold the licence.
In the month of May, the excise department carried out raids in West Delhi, in which 240 bottles of smuggled liquor and 6 kg of Ganja were seized.