HC takes suo motu cognisance of sale of drugs, cigarettes outside schools, colleges

Mumbai, Jun 24 (PTI) The Bombay High Court's Aurangabad bench has taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of news articles on rampant sale of cigarettes and drugs outside educational institutions, expressing concerns over students getting enticed into using such banned items.

The bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Y G Khobragade on June 20 said it came across "disturbing" news articles on people running businesses selling banned items such as drugs, cigarettes and e-cigarettes outside schools and colleges.

According to news reports, offenders targeted young students with such items, the court said.

"Young students of an impressionable age are enticed into consumption of such drugs and cigarettes, virtually opening the path towards addiction and their physical destruction," it said.

The bench directed the police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) to act in "true spirit" and ensure citizens, especially young students, are protected from such illegal activities.

The court appointed senior advocate P R Katneshwarkar to assist and asked him to file a proper public interest litigation in the matter so that appropriate directions could be issued to the authorities. PTI SP ARU