Archive · 1 Aug 2025
Mumbai Restaurant Owners Challenge Police Raids Over Herbal Hookah
Some restaurant owners in Mumbai are upset because the police are raiding their businesses.
These restaurants serve herbal hookah, which the High Court said they could do back in 2019.
The owners say the police are ignoring that order and are threatening to shut them down.
The police say they are following a recent rule about illegal hookah places.
The restaurant owners have asked the High Court to tell the police to stop raiding them without proper procedures.
Restaurant owners in Mumbai filed a plea in Bombay High Court against police raids.
Owners claim police actions contradict a 2019 court order allowing herbal hookah.
The petitioners seek court direction to stop unauthorized searches and threats.
The police action is allegedly based on a June 6, 2025 circular on illegal hookah parlors.
The High Court has given time for the state government to respond and will hear the plea again on August 6.
- Who
- Restaurant owners and police authorities.
- What
- Restaurant owners filed a plea against police raids related to herbal hookah.
- When
- The Bombay High Court is hearing the plea, with the next hearing on August 6.
- Where
- Bombay High Court.
- Why
- Owners seek to stop police actions contradicting a court order and a recent circular.
Restaurant Owners
Police Department
Legality of Raids
Restaurant Owners
The police actions are unlawful, violating a 2019 court order.
Police Department
The police are enforcing a directive concerning illegal hookah parlors.
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Issue
- Police raids on restaurants serving herbal hookah
- Petitioners
- 12 restaurant owners
- Relief Sought
- Stop raids without procedure, uphold 2019 order.
- Next Hearing
- August 6