SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 26: The District Food Safety Department on Friday sealed Carnival Restaurant, located at Memko More in Dhanbad, for violating the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2006 and the Jharkhand Amendment Act, June 2025.
District Food Safety Officer (DFSO) Raja Kumar said the restaurant had been operating without a valid license since March 24, 2023, and was running a hukka bar despite the statewide ban.
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Surprise Raid and Seizure
According to officials, a team from the department conducted a surprise raid at the restaurant and sealed the premises after finding hukka being served to customers.
“The team seized hukka, chilam, and other banned items from the spot,” DFSO Raja Kumar said, adding that a special campaign against adulterated food and banned practices is being carried out across the district.
This is the first time since the ban on hukka bars imposed by the Jharkhand government on June 11, 2025, that the Food Safety Department has sealed such an establishment for serving customers in violation of the law.
Penalties Under the Law
As per the amendment, individuals can be fined up to ₹1,000 for smoking in public places, consuming tobacco products, or spitting in restricted areas.
“For now, the restaurant has been sealed for violating COTPA. Legal action will also be initiated against its operator,” said Raja Kumar.
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Crackdown on Adulterated Food
Since taking charge in Dhanbad, DFSO Raja Kumar has also acted against the illegal supply of adulterated khowa, paneer, peda, and other milk-based sweets from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities say such supplies have been “almost stopped” due to strict monitoring.
