SMC Raids Four Illegal Hookah Bars in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar; 20 Detained, Equipment Worth Over ₹2 Lakh Seized

The Gujarat Police State Monitoring Cell (SMC) raided four alleged illegal hookah bars in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on Tuesday, detaining 20 people and seizing hookah equipment, tobacco products, flavours and other materials collectively valued at more than ₹2 lakh.

The simultaneous raids were conducted at establishments in Ellisbridge, Chandkheda and Sarkhej in Ahmedabad, and Infocity in Gandhinagar district on November 3.

The action followed instructions from Gujarat Director General of Police G S Malik to initiate legal action against illegal hookah bar operations across the state. Cases have been registered at all four police stations against the respective operators, managers and others for further investigation.

Infocity: 12 People Found at Temptation Cafe

An SMC team raided Temptation Cafe in the basement of Hotel Jai Krishna near Bhaijipura flyover on Airport Road, within Infocity police station limits.

The cafe operator, Rohitkumar Sudama Pandey, and customers allegedly found smoking hookah were among the 12 people present during the raid.

The team seized six hookahs, seven packets and four boxes of hookah flavour, four chillums and a one-kilogram box of coal. Infocity police registered a case for further investigation.

Ellisbridge: 188 Clay Chillums, 577 Flavour Packets Seized

Another team raided TC's Lounge and Restaurant on Gujarat College Road under Ellisbridge police station limits.

The owner, Pathikbhai Bhupendrabhai Shah, manager Krunal Bhadrankbhai Shah, cashier Hareshbhai Rameshbhai Thakor and five other employees were present at the establishment.

The SMC seized nine operational hookahs, 22 packets of different flavours, 40 additional hookahs, 74 rubber hoses, nine aluminium foil rolls, 188 clay chillums, two kg of coal and 577 packets of different hookah flavours.

Cash amounting to ₹1.46 lakh was also seized. Ellisbridge police registered a case in connection with the raid.

Chandkheda: 25 Hookahs and Tobacco Products Seized

The third team raided King's Cafe near Shri Khodiyar Kathiyawadi Hotel on the service road near Jhundal Circle in Chandkheda.

The cafe owner, Sawankumar Dalpatbhai Parmar, along with the counter attendant and the person allegedly responsible for preparing hookah flavours, was found at the premises.

The SMC seized 25 hookahs, including one found operational, 17 filled chillums, 26 packets of different flavours, 25 hookah pipes, three aluminium foil rolls and 15 kg of coal.

Other seized items included a coal-burning stove, 20 packets of filter pipes, two ember-storage nets, 16 steel tools and 30 clay chillums.

Police also seized tobacco products bearing the Afzal Premium Quality Tobacco label, a QR code and a digital video recorder (DVR). The total seizure was valued at ₹48,445. Chandkheda police registered a case.

Sarkhej: 23 Hookah Pipes Seized From Jackal Live Cafe

The fourth raid was conducted at Jackal Live Cafe near Kanset Party Plot on Sindhu Bhavan Road, close to Fun Blast Game Zone, within Sarkhej police station limits.

The cafe owner, Jigar Hasmukhbhai Patel, a resident of Satellite, was named in connection with the establishment.

The SMC seized 23 hookah pipes, an aluminium foil roll, two kg of coal, 11 one-kg plastic cans containing different flavours and 179 plastic filters. The seized material was valued at ₹68,929.

Sarkhej police registered a case for further investigation.

Cases Registered at All Four Police Stations

The State Monitoring Cell said cases had been registered at all four police stations in connection with the alleged illegal hookah bar operations.

The seized hookah equipment, tobacco products, flavours and other materials will form part of the respective investigations.