Mumbai police temporarily detained stand-up comedian and reality TV star Munawar Faruqui during a raid on an illegally operating hookah parlor. Police seized cash and hookah equipment during the raid, which occurred in the city’s Fort area.
Faruqui and 14 others were released after being cited for violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act. Police are still investigating the incident.
The 32-year-old comedian initially rose to fame on YouTube and later won “Big Boss 17”. He attracted controversy in 2021 when he was jailed for a month over religious jokes made during a stand-up performance. Subsequent threats from right-wing groups led to the cancellation of 12 of his shows.
