Nagpur Crime Branch Seizes ₹32,505 Worth of Hookah Materials

On October 13, 2026, the Nagpur Crime Branch executed a raid at The Fusion Cafe located in the Sitabuldi area, seizing hookah materials valued at ₹32,505. This operation was prompted by allegations of illegal tobacco product distribution at the cafe, which is situated on the first floor of the Anand Bhandar Restaurant building on West High Court Road.

The raid took place between 8 PM and 10:30 PM, during which law enforcement officials confiscated various items, including hookah flavors, pots, and cash. The action was led by Police Inspector Bharat Kshirsagar of the Anti-Narcotics Squad, under the supervision of Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil and DCP (Crime) Deepak Agrawal.

In connection with this incident, two suspects were identified: Vikrant Bhagwat Shinde, 27, and Shubham Sunil Vaidya, 24, both residents of Nagpur. The police press release indicated that the seized items were linked to violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), as well as relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

This operation is part of a broader initiative by the Nagpur police to clamp down on the sale and distribution of prohibited tobacco products across the city. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to enforcing laws aimed at curbing illegal tobacco activities, which pose health risks to the public.

Looking ahead, the Crime Branch plans to continue its enforcement efforts, conducting further raids and investigations to ensure compliance with tobacco control laws. The police have urged the community to report any suspicious activities related to the illegal sale of tobacco products.