Late on Tuesday night, the Mumbai police detained and later released stand-up comedian and winner of Bigg Boss 17, Munawar Faruqui, along with 14 others, on allegations of consuming tobacco-based hookah at a hookah bar in South Mumbai, officials confirmed.
According to Mumbai Police sources, a team conducted a raid at the Sabalan hookah bar and found 14 individuals, including Faruqui, consuming hookah with tobacco. Upon confirming the presence of tobacco, an offence was registered under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act at the local MRA Marg police station. As it was a bailable offence, the accused were released with notice.
The raid was prompted by a tip-off received by the police, indicating that patrons were smoking tobacco-based hookahs disguised as herbal ones. Faruqui and 13 others have been charged under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), along with IPC sections 285 and 336.
During the raid, the police confiscated Rs 4,400 in cash and nine hookah pots valued at Rs 13,500. Further investigations are ongoing.
Munawar Faruqui gained prominence during his stint on the 17th season of the Colors show Bigg Boss. However, in 2021, he made headlines when he was arrested in Indore following a complaint from a BJP MLA’s son for allegedly making jokes about Hindu deities and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. His arrest sparked widespread criticism, and he was released on bail after intervention by the Supreme Court.