Mumbai: BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar conducts surprise checks in Kandivali West

BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar conducts the raid. Pics/By Special Arrangement

AMID rising complaints about narcotics and banned tobacco sales in Mumbai's western suburbs, BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar conducted surprise inspections in Kandivli West on Thursday, alleging the open sale of ganja, hookah material, and prohibited tobacco products.

The operation, carried out with local police present, comes days after another BJP legislator from the area flagged similar enforcement lapses, highlighting growing unease within the ruling party over local policing.

Wider political concern

>> Last week, nearby MLA Sanjay Upadhyay cited similar complaints:
>> Illegal hookah parlours
>> Public drinking in open areas
>> Cafes operating beyond permitted hours
>> Share autos violating traffic rules
>> The back-to-back complaints suggest dissatisfaction among ruling party legislators over ground-level policing.

Policy vs reality

CM Devendra Fadnavis had earlier warned of strict action against illegal hookah, tobacco and drug operations. However, MLAs' interventions indicate that enforcement may not be matching policy intent on the ground.

MLA's charge

Sagar alleged many illegal activities continue openly due to weak enforcement. "Many at the local level know what is happening, yet action is missing. Police are overlooking the issue. Violations are taking place without fear," he said. He added that neighbouring shops were helping vendors hide banned material and warned they too could face legal action.

Police Speaks

"Between January and February, excluding today's incident, action was taken against 99 paan stalls, 18 of which were demolished for being illegal. In today's case too, five offences have been registered. No narcotics had previously been found at these locations and most action related to banned products such as gutkha and loose tobacco, which are prohibite," said a police officer, anonymously.

Allegations

>> Sale of banned tobacco products
>> Hookah-related material
>> Suspected narcotic powder
>> Illegal ganja distribution
>> Sagar claimed prohibited items were seized during the inspections.

What happened

>> Location: Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West
>> Shops inspected: 3 paan outlets