Bar manager held for serving hookah

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 22

Following complaints about serving banned hookah to customers, the police conducted a raid and arrested the manager of a beer bar on Malhar Road.

The police have also booked the bar owner. SHO at division number 5 police station, Richa Rani, said they conducted raid at beer bar Papa Whisky on Malhar Road and found four hookahs.

Manager Surjit Kumar has been arrested, while bar owner Jaskaran Singh has also been booked. A case under Section 88 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC was registered against the accused.

Police Commissioner Sukhchain Singh has already extended the ban on serving hookah. However, there were complaints that the banned hookah was being served to customers at the bar. The police also conducted raids at five other beer bars.

Senior Congress leader Amarjit Singh Tikka said bars and restaurants serving hookah should be closed permanently. He said hard drinks and hookah were being openly served to teenagers at various bars and restaurants. “Even obscene dance programmes are being organised at some bars here. It is not our culture. The police must check and take action. I have also complained to the Punjab STF chief to take strict action against bars and restaurants where hookah is being served,” he said.