Court Continues Ban On Manufacturing And Sale of Gutka, Pan Masala

The Delhi High Court has upheld the ban on manufacturing & sale of tobacco-flavored gutka and pan masala due to public health reasons.

The Delhi High Court upheld the national capital’s ban on gutka and pan masala due to public health concerns. The court noted that these items include dangerous substances that affect people’s health in ways that cannot be repaired.

The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 forbids the sale, manufacturing, distribution, and storage of these goods in Delhi, according to the justices Jasmeet Singh and Vipin Sanghi’s bench. 

The court rejected the pan masala manufacturers’ association’s arguments, saying that their assertions that the prohibition is unjustified and discriminatory lack merit.

The court emphasized the importance of protecting the public’s health by pointing out that the usage of gutka and pan masala has been linked to a number of health issues, including cancer. 

The Delhi government has also been ordered by the court to strictly enforce the prohibition and punish those who break it.

Gutka and pan masala were initially banned in Delhi in 2012, but the manufacturers had legal challenges to the restriction. 

The prohibition was suspended by the High Court in 2015, but after the Supreme Court became involved, it was reintroduced in 2016.

Several other Indian states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, and Rajasthan, have also enacted bans on gutka and pan masala. 

In many locations, it is also illegal to use these goods in public areas. These products are still being sold illegally across most of the nation, despite the ban.

The Delhi High Court’s ruling upholding the restriction on gutka and pan masala is a crucial step in protecting the public’s health. 

To stop the sale and use of these hazardous items, it is crucial to guarantee strict adherence to the ban and take proper action against those who violate it.