Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui and 13 others found themselves in a legal tangle after a raid conducted by the Mumbai Police’s Social Service branch at a hookah bar in Mumbai’s Fort area. The police official disclosed on Wednesday that all accused were later released as the charges against them were bailable.

The raid, executed around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, targeted a hookah parlour situated in Bora Bazar. The operation stretched on until 5 am the next day. Among those found smoking hookahs during the raid was stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, captured on video by the police.

According to a senior officer, the police acted on a tip-off regarding patrons indulging in tobacco-based hookah smoking under the guise of herbal hookahs at the parlour. Consequently, Faruqui and his associates were detained but subsequently released due to the bail-able nature of the charges against them.

The detainees, including Faruqui, were booked under various sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These included sections 283 and 336, pertaining to endangerment of public safety and obstruction in public places, respectively.

The incident has stirred debate regarding the regulation and legality of hookah bars in Mumbai, with concerns raised about the enforcement of laws governing such establishments. Faruqui’s involvement in the incident has also drawn attention, given his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry post his Bigg Boss victory.

Also Read. Ram Charan: 5 Heartwarming Moments That Define Father Goals

Despite the legal ramifications, the incident has yet again spotlighted the issue of smoking and public safety, prompting discussions on the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to ensure public health and well-being.