The State Monitoring Cell raided four cafes and lounges in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on November 3, reportedly finding hookahs, tobacco, flavoured products, chillams and burning coal at venues operating under the guise of cafes and lounges.
According to a report by Sandesh, the operation was conducted simultaneously at four locations based on information received by the State Monitoring Cell. The action covered venues in Gandhinagar, Ellisbridge, Chandkheda and Sarkhej.
At Temptation Cafe in Gandhinagar, the team detained the operator along with 12 customers, the report said. At TC’s Lounge and Restaurant in Ahmedabad’s Ellisbridge area, eight people were found during the raid.
The State Monitoring Cell also conducted an inspection at Kings Cafe in Chandkheda, where legal action was initiated against three people. At Jackal Live Cafe in Sarkhej, officials reportedly found a quantity of hookah material and equipment being used to operate the facility.
Across the four locations, the authorities seized hookahs, hookah flavours, tobacco, chillams and coal used for lighting. The total value of the seized material was reported to be Rs 2,72,004.
The operation highlights the regulatory challenge posed by commercial venues that present themselves as cafes or lounges while allegedly providing hookah services. In this case, the enforcement action extended across two urban areas and involved premises with different operating formats, including a cafe, lounge and restaurant.
The report did not specify whether the venues held any permits or licences connected to the seized materials, nor did it detail the individual legal provisions applied in each case. It stated that non-cognisable entries were registered at the relevant police stations and that further investigation was under way.
The cases will now be handled through the concerned police stations as the investigation continues. Further action will depend on the findings recorded in connection with the four venues and the seized material.
