HC Issues Notice After Plea Seeks Total Ban On Tobacco Ads

A division bench of the Delhi High Court comprising Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar has issued notice in response to a petition seeking a complete ban on all advertisements, promotions and sponsorship of tobacco products in any form whatsoever.

The petition has also sought directions to safeguard the fundamental rights of children allegedly working in the manufacturing unit of a tobacco brand 'Chaini Khaini'.

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the central government, the Delhi Government, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and other relevant parties in response to a petition filed by Dipesh Jha.

The petitioner has alleged that tobacco products manufacturer ‘Chaini Khaini’ employs children below the age of 14 years in its units and ran a series of illegal activities including surrogate advertisements.

He has also contended that the manufacturing unit has been run in violation of various labor laws including the Minimum Wages Act, the Industrial Disputes Act, as well as the Trade Unions Act.

The petition has alleged that the manner in which 'Chaini Khaini' tobacco products are advertised gives an impression that they a herbal products beneficial to health and their packaging also lack any kind of statutory warning related to its impact on health.

The petitioner has contended that Chaini Khaini involved in tax evasion as well as lack of waste management and has sought a probe into these allegations.

The case is scheduled to be heard next on March 11.