Unauthorised shisha bars continue to operate in Dhaka’s affluent neighborhoods despite repeated raids and government restrictions, raising alarm among law enforcers and health experts.
Operating behind dimly lit doors, these establishments attract young men and women from wealthy families who smoke shisha late into the night. Police sources say the actual number of such bars in Banani, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, and Uttara is several times higher than the 21 listed by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). Many remain open by frequently changing names and locations, often aided by leaks from within law enforcement agencies.
The issue resurfaced after police arrested nine people, including casino kingpin Selim Pradhan, during a raid at “Nexus Café” in Baridhara on Saturday. Officers seized 6.7 kilograms of shisha, seven stands, and other equipment. Earlier, on August 14, a youth named Rabbi was murdered inside Banani’s “360 Degrees” shisha bar, fueling concerns over the shadowy business.
Experts warn that shisha is far from harmless. Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, president of the anti-smoking group MANAS, said young people are increasingly addicted, with many eventually turning to yaba, ice, LSD, and other drugs. “Shisha is a gateway to dangerous addictions. Children from wealthy families are most vulnerable,” he said.
Laboratory tests conducted by the DNC found nicotine levels exceeding 0.2%, the legal threshold in all confiscated samples. “These products are addictive and illegal,” said Dr Dulal Krishna Saha, chief chemical examiner at the DNC laboratory.
Despite crackdowns, shisha lounges remain concentrated in certain areas: Banani hosts at least 22, including Red Sofa, Reloaded, and Golden Tulip; Gulshan has six, Dhanmondi 10, and Uttara 12, according to police and DNC officials.
Shamim Ahmed, deputy director of DNC Dhaka Metro Office (North), admitted that raids often fall short due to advance leaks. “Our list includes 21 shisha bars, but the real number is much higher,” he said, noting that operators often use locked doors, CCTV, and street lookouts to evade raids.
Police say they are intensifying intelligence operations to dismantle the networks. “Following Selim Pradhan’s arrest, more names will come out,” said Gulshan Police Station OC Hafizur Rahman. Vatara Police Station OC Rakibul Hasan added that constant surveillance is in place in Baridhara and Bashundhara to prevent such illegal activities.