Raids conducted to stop sale of Tobacco, 125 booked

Following the ban summoned by the Madras High Court on selling tobacco-based products nearby educational institutions, 90 cases were registered in the city. S. Lakshmi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, reported that nearly 125 persons were booked for selling tobacco products in shops within 100 meters of educational establishments.  A penalty of Rs. 200 had been imposed on those who had been implicated and consequently have been released on bail with a formal warning. Cases were booked under IPC section 6(B), 12, 13 and 24 of the COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products) Act 2003 and Sections 7 and 9(ii) of The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act, 2002.  Neighboring city, Tirupur, has also reported a few arrests made on similar grounds.