Stand-up comedian and Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui, along with 13 individuals, was detained by Mumbai police in a late Tuesday night raid on a hookah parlour in the Fort area of south Mumbai, officials said on Wednesday.
The raids were carried out by the Social Service Branch of the city police at a hookah parlour located in the Bora Bazar area of Fort around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, with the operation persisting until 5 am on Wednesday, as PTI reported.
“During the raid, the police found stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui and others smoking hookahs at the joint. We also have a video of their act. We detained Faruqui and others, but they were later allowed to go as the sections slapped against them were bailable,” a senior police official said.
Also Read: BRS leader K Kavitha taken to Tihar Jail following court order: Officials
The police raided the parlour based on information received that the patrons were smoking tobacco-based hookahs disguised as herbal ones.
Although the case was lodged against Faruqui and the others, he was eventually let off after receiving notices from the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg police.
Faruqui and others were charged under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, as well as sections 283 and 336 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertain to endangerment in public areas and endangering the life or safety of others, respectively.
Also Read:50 rescued after fire erupts at corporate park in Mumbai; no injuries: Officials
“Though it was a bailable offence, the police gave a notice and let Faruqui go. The police are investigating the matter,” the police said.
Munawar gained significant attention as one of the standout contestants of the 17th season of the Colors show “Bigg Boss.” He hogged the limelight ever since he entered the Bigg Boss house.
(With inputs from agencies)