'Action will be taken against all 'hookkah' joints'

MUMBAI: The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that it would take action against all hookkah joints in the city.
    
In fact, since June 20, action has been taken against 59 such joints, stated Dr G T Ambe, joint executive health officer, in an affidavit filed before division bench of Justices S B Mhase and Ashutosh Kumbhkoni on Thursday.
    
Shri Khuntu Impex Pvt Ltd, which runs Nukkad - a restaurant near Wilson College in south Mumbai, had moved the High Court against closure notice by MCGM for serving Hookkah against the license rules.
    
On the last occasion, court had asked MCGM whether it planned to take action against all the hookkah joints.
    
Ambe's affidavit, alongwith another affidavit filed by MCGM commissioner Jairaj Phatak, said that action will be taken against all such joints.
    
Ambe's affidavit further stated that Nukkad was serving only hookkah, and not food.
    
Further, by serving hookkah near educational institute violated the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertising and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, it said.
    
However, Nukkad managment has now given undertaking that it would not serve hookkah anymore. Accordingly, court set aside the MCGM order and disposed of the petition.