MUMBAI: The sale and possession of gutka in the Indian state of Maharashtra may soon become a non-bailable offence, with the possibility of sentencing offenders to three to five years of rigorous imprisonment, which may be extended to 10 years, and suspension of their paan kiosk for a longer period of time, said a report published on The Times of India.
In response to concerns raised during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly today regarding the efficacy of existing legislation, Indian Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Girish Bapat said that the law was not being effectively implemented as gutka from neighbouring states was being sold in Maharashtra.
The police was previously under orders to book offenders under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, an offence that provides for bail within a few hours a law which did not put adequate pressure on those operating illegally.
However, new directives are being issued to the police to book offenders under Section 328 ‘causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence’ which is a non-bailable offence, the minister told the assembly today.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
