NEW DELHI: Acting on confidential information, Delhi police conducted a raid on an illicit hookah bar located in the Shadara area of the city, on Sunday.
According to sources, the establishment had hired underage girls to serve alcoholic beverages. Earlier, local residents had registered complaints about unlawful activities at hookah bars within the Shahdara district. To address such issues in the area, the Special Staff team was assigned the responsibility of prevention and detection.
The Special Staff Team received intelligence that Gaurav and Pramod were planning to organize an unlawful hookah gathering at the Kaanch Club in Delhi's Jhilmil Colony. During the operation, it was uncovered that the club was serving tobacco hookah, a prohibited substance under Delhi's COTPA Act.
Further investigation revealed the employment of underage girls to serve alcoholic beverages. Additionally, it was revealed that an excise license had been issued in the name of Pramod Choudhary, the club's manager.
The police confiscated illicit liquor, hookah paraphernalia, tobacco packets, and other illegal items found on the premises. These items were taken into police custody. Subsequently, legal action was initiated, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under the Excise Act and the COTPA Act 2003 at Police Station Seemapuri. Among the confiscated items were 11 bottles of Jagermeister brand, 16 hookahs with pipes and drums, 8 hookah drum plates, and a substantial quantity of tobacco packets. The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
In light of the Delhi liquor-gate scandal, the Delhi police have intensified efforts to combat the illegal sale of alcohol within the city and have increased scrutiny of license holders. In May, the excise department conducted raids in West Delhi, resulting in the seizure of 240 bottles of smuggled liquor and 6 kg of Ganja.
(With agency inputs)
