Mumbai Police Bust Illegal Hookah Lounge in JVPD, 45 Patrons Booked Amid Fire Safety and Tobacco Violations
Mumbai, 17th June 2025: In a late-night operation on Sunday, the Juhu Police unearthed an illegal hookah lounge running from a high-end residential locality in JVPD, Juhu, revealing blatant violations of fire safety regulations and tobacco control laws. A total of 45 individuals, including five women, along with the lounge’s manager and staff, have been charged under multiple legal provisions.
The establishment, identified as Till Next Time, was found unlawfully serving flavoured tobacco-based hookah, despite such products being banned in India. Authorities, acting on specific intelligence, conducted a surprise raid and recovered glass hookah sets, flavoured tobacco, rubber hoses, and various accessories used in the illegal service. While herbal hookah is permitted in up to 30% of designated smoking zones, the lounge was openly offering tobacco-based hookah in clear breach of the law.
During the operation, police detained Irfaaan Khan (27), the lounge manager, Rizwan Chaudhary (25), the assistant manager, and ten other staff members involved in the preparation and distribution of hookahs. The 45 customers present—men and women aged between 20 and 30—were also issued legal notices.
The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2023, including Sections 20, 21, 21A, 4, and 4A(7), as well as Sections 125, 287, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
In addition to tobacco violations, serious fire safety lapses were discovered. Officials found that the parlour had not undergone a mandatory fire safety audit. Burning coal used for hookahs was kept dangerously close to dry decorative materials, posing a significant fire threat. The space was enveloped in dense smoke, with highly flammable elements scattered around.
The police have reiterated that strict action will be taken against establishments endangering public safety and flouting statutory norms. The investigation continues, with authorities planning further inspections of similar venues across the city.
