BREAKING: High Court allows sale of herbal hookah in restaurants and pubs in Delhi

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed the use of herbal hookah in restaurants and pubs in the national capital, saying the continuation of COVID-19 restrictions cannot be allowed at the cost of livelihood.

Justice Rekha Palli, who was hearing the arguments of several restaurants and bars against the ban on the sale or service of herbal flavored hookah, said the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic ‘cannot last forever’ and said the authorities Already cinema halls and swimming pools have been allowed to function at full capacity.

The court clarified that it was granting the permission as an interim relief and it was subject to an undertaking by the petitioners that they would strictly observe the due diligence of COVID-19 while serving herbal hookah.

The judge ordered, “Subject to the filing of an affidavit by the petitioners, till the next date of hearing, the respondent (Government of Delhi) shall refrain from interfering in the service of herbal hookah.”

Read | No love with hookah bars! Punjab government imposed permanent ban

“In case of any change in the COVID-19 situation, the respondent will be at liberty to approach the court,” she said.

The court directed the Delhi government to file its reply on the petitions and asked it to take a ‘call’ if other restaurants and bars approach it for permission to serve herbal hookah in compliance with the COVID-19 protocol.

Separate petitions were filed by Breath Fine Lounge & Bar, TOS, R High Speedbar & Lounge, Veranda Moonshine and Sixth Empirica Lounge in West Punjabi Bagh, contending that they were serving herbal hookah for which no license was granted. are not required as they are completely without tobacco. But the police were still conducting raids, confiscating equipment and issuing challans.

The petitioners had challenged the order of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing Unit) prohibiting the sale or service of herbal flavored hookah.

The Delhi government has been opposing the arguments saying that one mistake would cost the whole of Delhi a heavy price, and allowing hookah in public places could spread COVID-19 as people would share it.

The judge told Delhi government’s counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi, “Now you have opened everything. Cinema hall, full capacity. Swimming pool, full capacity. You want to ban hookah, you can do that but on the basis of COVID But not.”

“What is happening? These people (petitioners) don’t have to survive? I have given you a long rope. But there has to be a limit. You cannot have such restrictions at the cost of livelihood. I know That we can’t keep our guards down but it can’t last forever.”

Delhi government’s counsel reiterated the official stand that herbal hookah cannot be allowed to be sold and used as of now.

The petitioners argued that the continuation of the ban on the sale and use of herbal hookah was unwarranted. The High Court had earlier directed the Delhi government to reconsider the ban and file an affidavit.

The Delhi government then told the court that this is not the time to reduce our guards. For an unnecessary service that is likely to contribute to the transmission and severity of the coronavirus.

The court was told that in a fresh order dated October 14, the Delhi government has decided to continue with the prohibition on use of hookah in all public places including herbal hookah with and without tobacco, water pipes and other devices like hookah. Hotels, restaurants, pubs, etc.

The Delhi government had clarified that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has permitted only those activities, such as opening of cinema halls, restaurants etc., which are essential, related to the social and economic welfare of the public and can be followed in compliance. Is all COVID appropriate behavior.

However, the nature of the mechanism of hookah increased the risk of transmission of the virus, it said.

The next hearing of the case will be on February 9.

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