 "Comedian Munawar Faruqui detained in Mumbai's hookah bar raid; released later after being served notice")
Stand-up comedian and reality TV star Munawar Faruqui, once again, embroiled in controversies as he was among 14 people reportedly detained during a raid at a hookah parlour in Mumbai. The news agency ANI, quoting a Mumbai police official, said that the Big Boss 17 winner was later released.
The raid, prompted by a tip-off received by the SS branch, was conducted at the hookah bar situated at Bora Bazar. According to the officials, the patrons indulged in tobacco-based hookah under the guise of herbal and the hookah parlour in the city’s Fort area was being run illegally. Reportedly, the police seized Rs 4,400 in cash, and nine hookah pots worth Rs 13,500 during the raid on Tuesday.
While speaking to the news agency PTI, a senior police official told, “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.”
Reportedly, Faruqui and others were detained under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act along with the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 283 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others). Additionally, the reports also suggested that they were allowed to go after being served a notice by the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg police.
Munawar Faruqui , in 2021, was caught up in controversies for hurting religious sentiments after he made remarks on Hindu deities during a stand-up show. The popular comedian spent a month in jail as complaints were lodged against him. Such was the outrage that he even announced quitting comedy after 12 of his shows were cancelled within two months.
In 2022, Faruqui appeared in a reality TV show “Lock Upp” and emerged as the winner of the show’s first season. He also participated in the Bigg Boss 17 last year and took the trophy to his home.