Munawar Faruqui, a prominent stand-up comedian and former reality TV personality, was unexpectedly involved in an incident where he was among 14 individuals detained during a police raid on a hookah parlour in Mumbai.
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The operation took place in the Fort district and resulted in Faruqui’s temporary detention, although he was later released, as confirmed by a Mumbai police official cited by ANI.
During the raid, authorities seized ₹4,400 in cash and nine hookah pots valued at ₹13,500. The operation commenced at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday and concluded at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, according to an official statement.
A senior police officer provided insight into the raid, mentioning the discovery of Munawar Faruqui and others engaging in hookah smoking at the establishment. Despite the initial custody of Faruqui and his associates, they were subsequently released as the charges against them were considered bailable.
In the aftermath of the incident, Elvish Yadav took to a social media platform to make a cryptic reference to Faruqui’s experience, alluding to a potentially challenging period following his victory in Big Boss 17. This comment came shortly after Yadav’s own legal issues related to the Snake Venom Case.
Responding to Yadav’s recent bail, his lawyer, Prashant Rathi, spoke to reporters, explaining that Yadav had been granted bail under the condition of providing two sureties of ₹50,000 each.
Rathi clarified that while the bail had been approved by the court, Yadav’s release was pending procedural formalities. Additionally, Rathi argued that Yadav had been wrongly implicated in the case, as no evidence related to the NDPS Act was found in his possession. Moreover, Rathi noted that the other two individuals arrested alongside Yadav, Vinay Yadav and Ishwar Yadav, had also been granted bail.
As per police reports, individuals at the hookah bar were allegedly smoking tobacco-based hookahs disguised as herbal ones. Faruqui and his companions were charged under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, along with sections 283 (pertaining to danger or obstruction in public places) and 336 (related to acts endangering life or safety) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as stated by the police.
The Mumbai Police issued notices to Faruqui and others through the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg police station and subsequently released them shortly after.
Prior to his appearance on ‘Bigg Boss 17’, Munawar rose to fame with his victory on the ‘Lock Upp’ reality show, where he emerged triumphant over fellow contestant Abhishek Kumar.w
Munawar Iqbal Faruqui Who is he?
Munawar Iqbal Faruqui, born on January 28, 1992, is an Indian comedian, rapper, and vocalist. He gained widespread recognition after clinching the title in the inaugural season of the reality TV series “Lock Upp” in 2022. Following his success, Faruqui entered the limelight once again in 2023 by becoming a contestant on “Bigg Boss” Season 17, where he emerged victorious.
Raised in Junagadh, Gujarat, Faruqui grew up in a Gujarati Muslim household grappling with financial difficulties. His family’s financial woes compelled Faruqui to abandon his formal education after completing the 5th grade to contribute to the family’s finances. During his formative years, he took on various odd jobs, including working in a gift shop and assisting his mother and grandmother in selling samosas and chaklis.
Tragically, at the tender age of 14, Faruqui faced another setback when his mother tragically took her own life, prompting him to relocate to Mumbai at the behest of his aunt. In Mumbai, he continued to work odd jobs to make ends meet. In 2020, he suffered another blow with the passing of his father after being paralyzed.
Faruqui’s journey in the entertainment industry began to take shape in April 2020 when he uploaded a stand-up comedy video titled “Dawood, Yamraaj & Aurat” on his YouTube channel.
He then delved into music, releasing his debut song “Jawab” in collaboration with Indian musician Spectra in August 2020.
Continuing to showcase his comedic prowess, he shared videos like “Ghost Story,” which went live on his YouTube channel on February 28, 2021.
In 2022, Faruqui transitioned to reality television by joining Balaji Telefilms’ show “Lock Upp,” hosted by Kangana Ranaut. His captivating persona and distinctive style resonated with audiences, leading to his victory on May 8, 2022. The show, available for streaming on OTT platforms ALTBalaji and MX Player, further solidified Faruqui’s status in the entertainment sphere.
Building on his achievements, Faruqui ventured into another reality TV endeavor in 2023 by participating in “Bigg Boss” Season 17, under the stewardship of Salman Khan. His charm and wit captivated viewers, ultimately culminating in his triumph on January 28, 2024, marking yet another milestone in his burgeoning career.