Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui has recently been caught by the police at a Mumbai hookah bar. Alongside him, 13 others were detained during the raid, and FIRs have been registered against them.
Before the recent detention, Faruqui came into the spotlight when authorities charged him under hate speech laws. He faced accusations of making malicious jokes about Hindu deities. The comedian reportedly spent almost 37 days in jail.
For those unaware, Munawar Iqbal Faruqui is an Indian stand-up comedian, rapper, and singer. In 2023, he gained popularity after emerging as the victor in Bigg Boss season 17. Besides this, he also won the first season of the popular reality show Lock Upp.
Munawar Faruqui detained during hookah parlor raid in Mumbai
On March 26, 2024, police raided an illegal hookah bar in the city’s Fort district and seized $52.81 (₹4400) cash along with nine hookah pots worth around $162 (₹13,500). Presently, authorities have released all the accused on bail after questioning them.
According to an official, “The raid began around 10.30 pm on Tuesday and continued till 5 am of Wednesday.” A senior police officer told the news agency PTI, “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.”
Hindustan Times reported that Faruqui and all other co-accused have been charged under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). They have also been booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 283 (danger or obstruction in a public way or line of navigation) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others).
Soon after the detention, Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav reacted to the situation on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “Biggboss Jeetne Ke Baad Sabka Bura Time Shuru Hojaata Hai Kya. (Does everyone’s bad times start after winning Bag Boss?)”
As per recent reports, Munawar Faruqui and his co-accused have been allowed to be released after notices were served by the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg police.
