HC seeks tobacco manufacturer's response on AAP govt's plea

The Delhi High Court today sought a tobacco manufacturer's response on the city government's plea to vacate an order by which the AAP government was restrained from taking coercive measures against the sale of chewable tobacco in the national capital.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to Sugandhi Snuff King Pvt Ltd seeking its response within a week on Delhi government's plea alleging that tobacco users are increasing on daily basis.
"While issuing notice to the respondent (Sugandhi Snuff), I would like you (Delhi government and the manufacturer) to complete pleadings in the matter," the court said.
The government moved the plea after the high court on April 8 had restrained it from taking any coercive measures against the petitioner (Sugandhi Snuff).

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the Delhi AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal, said this is an "application on behalf the government for vacation of stay granted by this court on April 8".
She further said that this application is filed in public interest and the manufacturer should be stopped from producing products which directly harms the public at large.

Earlier on April 8, the high court had issued notice to Delhi government seeking their response on Sugandhi Snuff plea which has sought quashing of the March 25 notification by the AAP government, banning sale, purchase and storage of all forms of chewable tobacco including "gutkha, khaini and zarda" in the national capital.

Subsequently three other manufacturers, including S K Tobacco Industries, moved court with similar request and were granted relief that "no coercive steps be taken against them".
Taking note of the manufacturers' submissions, the court had said, "In my view, the petitioners have, prima facie, set up an arguable case."
"The question is one of competence. The notification may have been issued by the respondent in public weal, but what has to be examined by this court is its competence to issue the notification," the court had said, while directing them to file their response on this aspect.
The government, however, today sought more time to file its response, which was allowed by the court.

It asked the Delhi government to file their counter affidavit within 10 days.