HC dismisses challenge to gutkha ban

The single bench of the Karnataka High Court circuit bench in Dharwad, headed by Justice B S Patil on Tuesday upheld the Karnataka government's decision to ban the manufacture and sale of gutkha in the state.

The court quashed the interim plea filed by gutkha companies seeking a stay on the government order banning gutkha. Star Gutkha company and three others had appealed to the HC to stay the notification issued by the food safety commissioner banning gutkha. The court, which heard the plea on June 11, had reserved its final order.

On Tuesday Justice B S Patil in his pronouncement said as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 the state government has right to ban items containing tobacco and nicotine. This act was implemented all over the country since August 5, 2011. Hence the notification is found to be well within the framework of law, the judge observed. He said some NGOs had appealed to the government and court to ban the manufacture and sale of gutkha in view of the hazard it poses to the health of the people, particularly the youth.

As such banning of gutkha is a wise decision on the part of state government, Justice B S Patil said.