Legal notice served to shut illegal Shisha bars
Staff Reporter :
A legal notice has been issued demanding the immediate shutdown of all unauthorised shisha lounges and drug bars operating in Dhaka’s affluent Gulshan neighborhood.
The notice, served on Monday (August 25) by Advocate S. M. Zulfiqar Ali Junu, Chairman of the National Lawyers Council and member of the Anti-Narcotics Lawyers’ Alliance, was sent to the Secretary of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
It alleges that several shisha lounges in Gulshan, disguised as cafés and restaurants, are operating illegally and engaging in criminal activities.
These establishments reportedly provide shisha with nicotine levels above legal limits, along with alcohol, yaba, crystal meth (ice), and other narcotics.
Many have also become hubs for nightlife-related crime and immoral activities involving teenagers and young adults. “Unregulated shisha lounges are destroying the moral and social fabric of the youth, worsening law and order, and fueling drug abuse in the capital,” the notice warned.
The lawyer demanded the immediate closure of all unauthorised lounges and strict legal action against owners, managers, and associates. He further cautioned that failure to act would compel lawyers to move the courts in the public interest.
Shisha bars have proliferated in Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Uttara despite repeated crackdowns. Official records list at least 21 such establishments in Dhaka, though law enforcement estimates the actual number exceeds 100.
Authorities say many are backed by influential patrons, making enforcement difficult. Following raids, businesses often reopen under new names or relocate to nearby premises.
In one high-profile case, the murder of internet entrepreneur Rahat Hossain Rabbi outside the Banani-based “360 Degree” lounge exposed the violent underworld linked to shisha bars.
Investigations revealed drug distribution, gang activity, and organised extortion networks tied to the establishments.
Laboratory tests by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) confirmed that all shisha samples seised in raids contained nicotine above the legal threshold of 0.2 percent. Some contained 0.5 percent legally classified as a Category B narcotic – possession or sale of which carries penalties of one to ten years’ imprisonment.
Beyond narcotics, raids uncovered private cabins rented out on an hourly basis, allegedly used for drug abuse and illicit activities. Surveillance footage obtained during operations corroborated these findings.
Law enforcement has carried out at least 50 raids in Dhaka over the past five years. In one of the latest, on August 19, Gulshan police raided “The Courtyard Bazaar” lounge, seizing four kilograms of shisha, multiple hookah setups, narcotics, and cash. Five individuals were arrested, and cases were filed against 17 suspects.
RAB-1 Commander Lt. Col. Ashiqur Rahman confirmed:
“Joint operations with the DNC will continue until illegal shisha lounges are eradicated.”
A DMP spokesperson reiterated that while the DNC has primary jurisdiction over narcotics control, police will take action if concrete evidence of illegal activity is presented.
Residents of Gulshan and Banani have long complained of noise pollution, criminal gatherings, and declining neighborhood safety linked to shisha bars.
Parents and educators warn that easy access to these lounges is pushing students into addiction and delinquency.
However, some business owners argue that the lounges cater to both local and foreign patrons, urging the government to regulate the sector instead of imposing outright bans.
Experts insist that short-term raids are not enough.
“Sustained enforcement, agency coordination, and stronger awareness campaigns are essential,” said a senior narcotics control official. “Without vigilance, these establishments will simply resurface.”
When contacted by The New Nation, DMP spokesperson Mr. Talebur Rahman said:
“We have not officially received any legal notice. At this moment, we cannot comment on the matter.”
Multiple attempts to reach the Officer-in-Charge of Gulshan Police Station went unanswered.
The latest legal notice now places additional pressure on the government and law enforcement agencies to take decisive action, with lawyers signaling that judicial intervention will follow if authorities fail to act promptly.