Writ filed seeking shutdown of illegal shisha lounges in Gulshan-Banani

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking directives to shut down unauthorised shisha (hookah) lounges operating in the capital’s Gulshan and Banani areas.

The writ was filed on Sunday (January 18) by Advocate SM Zulfikar Ali Junnu, chairman of the National Lawyers’ Council, naming the home secretary, inspector general of police (IGP), RAB director general, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner and other relevant authorities as respondents.

According to the petition, a recent report published in a national daily revealed that illegal shisha bars are operating under the guise of cafés and lounges in upscale areas such as Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi and Uttara, particularly during late-night hours.

The report alleged the use of various narcotics alongside tobacco-based shisha, as well as involvement in immoral activities.

The petition noted that there is no legal provision or approval for operating shisha or hookah bars in Bangladesh, and that such activities are explicitly prohibited under existing laws. However, due to weak enforcement, the practice has continued to spread unchecked.

The writ also referred to a recent killing in Banani involving internet entrepreneur Rahat Hossain Rabby, who was murdered after leaving a shisha bar known as “360 Degree.” Investigations found that the same premises had previously operated as a shisha bar under the name “Arabian Kozi,” which was shut down during a drive by the Department of Narcotics Control. The owners allegedly resumed the same business after changing the name.

The petition further stated that neither the Ministry of Health nor the Department of Narcotics Control authorises shisha or hookah use, yet more than 100 such establishments are reportedly operating across Dhaka from evening until late night, posing serious threats to public health and law and order.

Advocate Zulfikar Ali Junnu said the writ was filed in the public interest following the media report, seeking court intervention to stop the illegal operations.