Police crackdown on cafesover public smoking cases

Nagpur: City police on Wednesday launched sporadic raids across the eastern, western, and southern parts of Nagpur, targeting a string of notorious cafes turned underground hotspots.Around 30 cases of smoking in public places were registered against individuals. Police said some of the cases were registered for violations in public places in the vicinity of cafes, but many owners and customers seated inside also faced action under other provisions of law.
The crackdown was personally monitored by CP Ravinder Singal and JtCP Navinchandra Reddy.Around 24 cases related to illegal smoking were registered in east and south Nagpur under zonal DCP Rashmitha Rao. A few more cases were registered in west Nagpur under zonal DCP Hrishikesh Reddy.The police brass, tipped off by rising complaints, deployed teams to inspect spots highlighted in flashy social media promotions and ads. Sources said the cops found partitioned corners like secret cells, where teens and college kids mingled, smoked and consumed liquor. "There is a need to check the content of what the customers are smoking and open the curtains to expose the concealed cabins," said a Nandanvan resident.Police sources stated the cafes had hidden booths, each fitted with blackout curtains and dim illumination. According to a local resident, "The cafe ads scream fun, but inside it's gambling, booze, and hook-ups," he said, seeking more action from police on a regular basis.Reddy stated curtains covering the cabins were pulled down in some cafes. "The cops were surprised to find the cafe had no kitchen to serve tea, coffee, or any refreshing drink. They named their establishment a cafe but ordered tea and coffee from another shop. Soon, there would be more concrete action," he said, adding there would be more raids on cafes, especially those with cabins. "If these are cafes, then why do they need such covered cabins and separate chambers, and also highlight them as private spaces? We suspect something fishy in the entire cafe scenario," said JtCP Reddy.