Gurgaon Police to crack down on sale of hookah

The city police commissioner on Tuesday asked all station house officers (SHOs) to inspect pubs, bars and restaurants for illegal sale of hookah. All schools will be issued notices to prepare a data bank of students who bunk classes in order to restrain visits to hookah bars.

The city police commissioner on Tuesday asked all station house officers (SHOs) to inspect pubs, bars and restaurants for illegal sale of hookah. All schools will be issued notices to prepare a data bank of students who bunk classes in order to restrain visits to hookah bars.

The decision came after HT's story on February 26 highlighted the availability of hookahs in the city despite a statewide ban.

The commissioner called a meeting with the SHO's and directed them to conduct raids in their areas to check the sale of hookahs. He also asked the schools to keep a check on students who bunk classes and visit such cafes and bars.

Action would be taken against a school if their students are found at pubs, bars and hookah lounges in school uniforms.

Also, pub/bar owners in the city have been directed not to serve liquor and hookah to customers below the age of 25 years.

Many Gurgaon bars inside malls and shopping marts are still offering hookah under the nose of the Gurgaon police and administration.

When an HT correspondent visited a few bars, he also found that the bars allow rave parties if one carries contraband substances.