Headlines
Don't take action against tobacco sellers: Delhi High Court
New Delhi, April 8
While hearing a plea
challenging the ban on sale of chewable tobacco in the national capital,
the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the city government not to take
any coercive action against tobacco sellers.
Justice Rajiv
Shakdher issued notice to the Delhi government and sought its response
on the plea by May 20, the next date of hearing.
The court asked
the Delhi government not to take coercive action against tobacco sellers
till the date it will next hear the matter.
The Delhi government has banned all forms of chewable tobacco -- including gutka, khaini and zarda in the capital.
The
March 30 ban notification prohibits manufacture, storage, distribution
or sale of tobacco which is either flavoured, scented or mixed with any
additive.
The court's direction on a plea filed by a
manufacturer, Sugandhi Snuff King Pvt. Ltd., that asked court to quash
the notification, saying the central government, and not the state
government, has the power to regulate sale or ban it.