Tobacco ban: HC seeks info

DGP directed to source information from SPs

A division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice Mohan Shantangoudar has also directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police to seek information from all the Superintendents of Police in the State as to the action taken for violation of its ban orders. The bench was hearing a petition filed by Cancer Patients Rehabilitation Association seeking strict implementation of The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.

Government advocate B Veerappa submitted that notices have already been issued to all police stations in pursuance of the directions issued by the High Court on an earlier occasion. The bench sought information in this behalf within six weeks.

Time granted

 The High Court has granted two weeks time to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to find a solution to clear the encroachment of a civic amenity (CA) site in Okalipuram. The BBMP Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena appeared before a division bench headed by Justice D V Shylendra Kumar on Wednesday and sought more time to clear the encroachment. Thirty three unauthorised dwellings have come up over 7861 square feet of area, which was once a park meant for children. The HC had directed the BBMP to clear the encroachment in July 1997 itself.

However, the issue is yet to be resolved. While the court appreciated Meena for conducting a spot inspection and deposing, it asked the BBMP to find a solution in two weeks time to resettle the families and clear the encroachment.