Gutkha scam: State opposes shifting probe to CBI

While Advocate General Vijay Narayan resumed his arguments before the first bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose, that there is no need to transfer the investigation to the CBI as the investigation was progressing in the right direction, the bench came up with a pointed question on the free availability of gutkha. 

To this, the Advocate General submitted that even in an advanced country like US, drug loads are available. Cocaine arrives from Columbia and criminals operate, despite stringent laws. It is the job of the police to check and act, but the criminals continue to operate, he said and added that the state police are trying to stop the sale of gutkha. 

Also, when the Chief Justice reiterated its observation that its concern was the inter-state ramification the gutkha scam has revealed so for, the advocate general said the state police has handled many inter-state crimes and cases effectively where the central government officials were also arrayed as accused. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in their reply affidavit has submitted that sale of gutkha and pan masala (with tobacco and nicotine) which are hazardous food products, is a clear violation of the Statutory provisions and a threat to person’s fundamental right to life. The bench adjourned to January 25, further hearing of the case.