Writ seeks closure of illegal shisha lounges in Gulshan–Banani

Staff Reporter:

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking directives to shut down unauthorized shisha bars and shisha lounges—widely known as centers of drug use—operating in the upscale areas of Gulshan and Banani in the capital.

The writ was filed on Sunday by Advocate S. M. Zulfikar Ali Junnu, Chairman of the National Lawyers Council. The respondents named in the petition include the Home Secretary, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of RAB, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, and other relevant authorities.

Earlier, on 8 January, a legal notice was served on the government demanding swift and effective action to close down unauthorized shisha bars and lounges that have sprung up in elite areas of the capital. The notice was also issued by Advocate S. M. Zulfikar Ali Junnu on behalf of the same organization.

Various reports published in national newspapers were attached to the notice. These reports reveal that late at night, secret gatherings take place in areas such as Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Uttara. From the outside, these establishments appear to be cafés or lounges, but inside they turn into shisha bars. Alongside tobacco-based shisha, various types of narcotics are allegedly used. Some places are also accused of facilitating immoral activities.

The reports further state that there is no form of legal authorization for operating shisha bars in the country. Although such activities are legally prohibited, the lack of effective monitoring has allowed this culture to spread unchecked. A recent incident in Banani has exposed the alarming reality of this illegal business. Internet entrepreneur Rahat Hossain Rabbi (31) was murdered after leaving a shisha bar named “360 Degree.”

Investigations revealed that the same premises had previously operated as a shisha bar called “Arabian Kazi,” which was shut down in a raid by the Department of Narcotics Control. Later, the owners allegedly resumed the same business under a different name.

Relevant sources say that shisha or hookah is not legal in Bangladesh under any circumstances. The Ministry of Health and the Department of Narcotics Control do not grant permission for such activities.

Yet, more than a hundred shisha bars are currently active in the capital. At least 50 of these regularly host gatherings of young men and women. These sessions run from evening until late night, with loud music playing and the smell of alcohol mixing with smoke.

In many cases, allegations have surfaced that drugs such as yaba, cannabis, phensedyl, or liquid cocaine are mixed with shisha. Moreover, many shisha bars in the capital have set up separate cabins. While these appear to be ordinary seating areas from the outside, inside there are soundproof rooms accessible only to selected clients. In exchange for hourly fees, shisha, alcohol, and other drugs are allegedly provided there. Allegations of sexual activities being conducted alongside these services have also emerged.