Published Oct 21, 2026 | 10:25 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 21, 2026 | 10:25 PM
The Madras High Court.
Synopsis: The Madras High Court has sought responses from the Chennai Police and the Excise Department on a petition alleging that pubs and cafes in several Chennai neighbourhoods are illegally offering hookah services. The petition was filed by Chennai-based advocate Mukundan, who alleged that such operations could not continue on a large scale without official support.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday, 21 October, directed the Director General of Police, the Chennai Police Commissioner and the Commissioner of the Prohibition and Excise Department to respond to a petition seeking action against pubs and cafes allegedly offering illegal hookah services in the city.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan passed the direction on a petition filed by Chennai-based advocate Mukundan. The court adjourned the matter to 19 November.
The petitioner alleged that several pubs and cafes in Mylapore, Alwarpet, Royapettah High Road, Thousand Lights, Nungambakkam and Kodambakkam were illegally providing hookah services.
Contending that hookah services were prohibited in bars, pubs and cafes under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, Mukundan sought directions to the police to take stringent action against pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes violating the law.
The petition also alleged that illegal hookah operations on such a large scale could not continue without the support of officials.
The petitioner stated that violations involving the operation of hookah bars could attract imprisonment of up to three years. The court directed the three authorities to file their responses to the allegations.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
