With at least 13 clubs and bars found flouting the hookah ban in the past two months, the Chandigarh administration has decided to invoke strict penal provisions under the Disaster Management Act against the violators and close such establishments for three days.
The administration had banned serving of hookahs to contain the spread of Covid-19. Sub-divisional magistrates will ensure proper implementation of the order.
Meanwhile, managements of Pipe and Barrel Bar in Sector 9 and Poison Bar in Sector 17 have been booked under the strict provisions after police teams found them flouting the ban.
A case was registered against Sumesh Gagneja of Pipe and Barrel besides Naresh Bhandhari and Sushant Nagpal of Poison under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 58 (offence by companies) of the Disaster Management Act.