Video: Mumbai Hotelier Caught Smoking Hookah In SUV Despite Statewide Ban
In a blatant violation of Maharashtra's hookah ban, a video has surfaced showing the owner of a prominent Mumbai hotel, Muhammad Thakker, smoking hookah inside a luxury SUV just outside Mantralaya, the state's administrative headquarters.
The footage, shared on Instagram by Bandhu News on Thursday, quickly went viral and sparked widespread public outrage. In the video, Thakker can be seen smoking a hookah while driving a Range Rover, raising serious concerns over both legal and safety violations.
Caught on Camera
Muhammad Thakker is the owner of Faham Lounge, a popular hotel located in Mumbai's Masjid area. In the video, Thakker casually smokes hookah while driving from the Mantralaya signal towards the Air India building. A staff member, wearing a T-shirt with the Faham Lounge branding, is also seen sitting in the back seat.
Thakker even invites others to join him, saying, 'If anyone wants to smoke hookah, they can come sit in my car." He claims the hookah is 'herbal," but all forms of hookah use in public are banned under state rules, regardless of contents.
Public Reaction And Legal Concerns
The video has raised questions about how such an act could take place near such a high-security zone. Many citizens are now demanding action from the police. So far, the Mumbai Police has not made any official statement.
Thakker also claims to run other food and hookah businesses internationally, including in Dubai. At his Mumbai outlet, herbal hookah is reportedly served. However, reports say that many parlours in the city offer nicotine-laced hookah under the guise of herbal flavours, especially to youngsters.
CM Fadnavis Vows Strict Action
This incident comes just months after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned of strict action against illegal hookah parlours. On March 25, he said in the state assembly that licenses of such restaurants would be cancelled. He also said police officers in the area would be held accountable if lawbreaking is exposed by citizens or the media instead of law enforcement.
Despite the clear order, this bold violation has sparked concern about law enforcement and the growing disregard for public safety norms.
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