Hookah bar raided near airport, three held

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Three people were arrested for allegedly running an illegal hookah bar near Bengaluru Airport on Tuesday.

The accused have been identified as Atiqur Rehman, Ganesh and Ayub Khan. Based on a tip-off, a raid was conducted at ‘Cafe Runway’ hookah joint in Kannamangala Gate near the Kempegowda International Airport, police said on Tuesday.

The police said the accused had violated the rules set by the government and were also allegedly supplying banned substances to their customers. It is also said that the accused were running the joint without any valid licence and documents.

“We are keeping a watch on the hookah bars in the city which are luring youngsters. We will take strict action against the clubs and bars which are being run illegally or indulge in illegal activities,” a police official said.

During the raid, police seized 12 hookah fountains, pipes, flavours and cigarette packets from the joint. A case has been booked against the owners of the hookah joint, police said.