7 people have been arrested in relation to raids

More than 20 hookah bars were operational across Bengaluru

Karnataka government recently banned hookah bars

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru has conducted raids on banned hookah bars across the city. Mahalakshmi Layout, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport Bengaluru and K.R Puram are some of the prominent localities wherein the raids took place. Some of the bars were still operating in an unauthorised manner. On the basis of appropriate information, the CCB has conducted the raids. 

7 people have been arrested during the raids. Hookah flavours costing Rs 12.5 lakh have been seized along with other items. Despite the ban, more than 20 outlets were operational across Bengaluru. The CCB located all such spots and has shut them down. 710 hookah flavours, 36 hookah packets, 28 box foil papers, 19 filters and 25 hookah pipes have been recovered. Bengaluru City Commissioner B. Dayanand provided an update with regard to the raids. 

The Karnataka Government recently took a decision to ban hookah bars. “It is a decision that the government has taken. There are a lot of youngsters, in their teens, who are found in these places. The government, in the interest of health and law and order, have taken this decision,” Minister of IT/BT in the Government of Karnataka said.