HC Reserves Orders on Petitions of Hookah Centres Against Police Interferences

Hyderabad: The High Court concluded hearing of a batch of 60 petitions filed by managements of hookah centres, seeking relief from police interference into their day to day affairs.

Hookah centres have been in compliance with the various provisions of the law, more particularly the COTPA (Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act), the petitioners said.

The contention of the police was that the petitioners did not disclose the quality and details of tobacco that is served by them and whether they conform to the labelling and packaging rules. They said that such centres were facilitating smoking by minors.

Counsel for the State contended that the petitioners were seeking blanket directions against the police and that they have approached the court to pre-empt efforts by the police from taking lawful action against entities running the hookah centres .

The state pointed out that the power to search, seize and confiscate tobacco products, which are not in conformity with the provisions of the Act and the rules are provided in the Act itself.

The court will pronounce its verdict in a short period.