Millaion Dollar Hospitality Services v. The Commissioner Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR M/s.Millaion Dollar Hospitality Services Rep. by its partner, B.Sreenivas Rao, M/47, S/o.B.V.Rao Rao, 65/1, Creames Road, Ayanavaram, Chennai-600 019.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Commissioner of Police, Office of Commissioner of Police, Vepery, Chennai-600 007.
2. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chindhadhripettai Division, Chindhadhripettai, Chennai-600 002.
3. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nungambakkam Division, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
4. The Inspector of Police, F-4, Thousand Lights Police Station, Chennai-600 006.
..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission to use herbal hookah services at petitioner's restaurant M/s.HOUSE OF SWAG CAFE located at No.65/1, Creams Road, Ayanavaram, Chennai-600 006.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.R.C.Paul Kanagaraj For Respondents1 to 4:
Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
The Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to grant permission to use herbal hookah services at petitioner's restaurant M/s.House of Swag Cafe located at No.65/1, Greams Road, Thousand Light, Chennai - 600 006.
2.The petitioner intended to open a vegetarian restaurant in the name and style of M/s.House of Swag Cafe at Greames Road, Thousand Light, Chennai shortly and a separate room has been allocated for smoking, for the facility and convenience of the customers. Further his customers are demanding for herbal hookah and the petitioner has got all the facilities. Since the petitioner apprehending unnecessary interference and disturbance from the police and alleging that there is a restriction, the petitioner sent a representation dated 13.03.2026 to the respondents seeking permission to use herbal hookah services at his restaurant. However, till date, no action has been taken. Hence, the present writ petition.
3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that with regard to herbal hookah, the respondent may not have serious objection. The only thing is under the guise of having hookah, some other Narcotics or any other substances not to be used. To verify the same and also to get an undertaking affidavit the
respondent police insisted the petitioner to appear before them and to give an undertaking affidavit with details.
4.The learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner is ready to appear before the respondent police on 29.04.2026 and give his clarification and also an undertaking affidavit that they will use the smoking area only for serving herbal flavoured hookah without any content or trace of tobacco/nicotine. 5.In the light of the above submission, the petitioner is directed to give an undertaking affidavit before the fourth respondent, to have a separate smoking area for serving herbal flavoured hookah without any content or trace of Tobacco/Nicotine. On receipt of the undertaking, the respondents are directed not interfere with the business of the petitioner.
It is made clear that the petitioner will strictly adhere to the undertaking and will not violate it by taking advantage of the order passed in this writ petition. If the respondents receive any tangible information, the respondents are at liberty to inspect the petitioner's restaurant and proceed in accordance with law. 6.With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of.
M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
RSI To
1. The Commissioner of Police, Office of Commissioner of Police, Vepery, Chennai-600 007.
2. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chindhadhripettai Division, Chindhadhripettai, Chennai-600 002.
3. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nungambakkam Division, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
4. The Inspector of Police, F-4, Thousand Lights Police Station, Chennai-600 006.
5. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
24-04-2026