KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed the provincial authorities to come up with a report on Oct 8 regarding legislation against manufacture and sale of gutka and mainpuri in Sindh.

The two-judge bench headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar was hearing a contempt of court application against the provincial police officer and other respondents for not implementing earlier court orders regarding legislation against the menace of gutka, mainpuri and mawa, a concoction of betel nut, tobacco and other substances.

The bench observed that people were dying due to these injurious items and added that the proposed bill should be immediately tabled in the provincial assembly.

The bench deplored that such items were reportedly being sold under the protection and patronage of police while policemen were also arrested in some cases, but they were restored after suspension of a few days.

The bench directed the IG Sindh and other respondents to file a report about legislation against the menace of gutka, mainpuri and other injurious items by Oct 8.

It may be recalled that an additional advocate general of Sindh had informed another bench of the SHC a few months ago that a debate on the Sindh Prohibition of Preparation, Manufacturing, Storage, Sale and Use of Gutka and Mainpuri Bill would begin in the next session of the provincial legislature.

In some other petitions seeking action against the manufacturers and sellers of injurious substances, another bench had directed the inspector general of police and all senior superintendents of police (SSPs) to take strict action against the menace of gutka and mainpuri in the province.

Earlier the SHC had ruled that the existing laws with regard to the punishment for manufacturing and selling of gutka and mainpuri should be enhanced as culprits involved in such crimes were being booked under the British-era laws and were set free after they paid the minor penalties.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2019