No HC relief for hookah bars

Ahmedabad: Ten members of the Hookah Bar Owners’ Association did not get any respite from the Gujarat high court (HC), as the judges on Thursday did not agree to direct the authorities to permit them to reopen the bars.
The court issued notice to the state government and concerned city police officials in this regard.
The city police had ordered the closure of 10 hookah bars. After which the owners’ association had moved the HC. The HC bench had sought details of the ingredients used in the hookah from the association. However, the association failed to furnish the details sought by the HC.
The bar owners claimed they want their premises to be re-opened on grounds that the police authority acted in an arbitrary manner and locked their bars, even though they had followed the conditions imposed by the circular. The hookah bar owners have also alleged that the police make them follow extra conditions added in the circular. Earlier, the HC had taken suo motu cognizance of the functioning of these bars and had taken assurance from the owners that they would run the premises as per the norms set by the city police.