Madras HC tells govt to file report on ganja chocolate sold near colleges
The judge had also directed the special squads to book those smoking in public places.
Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to file a report on the action taken by it with regard to seizure of chocolates and other eatables laced with ganja and other related materials near educational institutions recently.
Justice N.Kirubakaran directed government pleader S.T.S.Moorthy to file the action taken report and posted to August 17, further hearing of a petition from T.C.Sharath of Studio 11 of Kodambakkam, which sought action against smoking in public places and shopkeepers selling tobacco products near educational institutions.
When the petition came up for hearing on Monday, Justice Kirubakaran raised a series of queries relating to the seizure of chocolates and other eatables laced with ganja and the action taken by the authorities.
Based on newspaper reports, the judge asked "How many places you have inspected? What are the materials you have seized? Why don't you go inside the educational institutions and find out the real situation?".
Earlier, while passing interim orders on the petition from Sharath, the judge had on June 13 directed the state government, DGP and city police commissioner to immediately form special squads and conduct surprise raids of shops located within 100 yards from educational institutions and take steps to punish persons who are selling cigarettes or other tobacco products to persons below the age of 18 years. The judge had also directed the special squads to book those smoking in public places.