Chennai: The Madras high court expressed shock over the availability of contraband goods even in higher secondary schools. It said that addictive goods were spoiling the youth. The same is the case with the professional and arts colleges.
The court went on to say that the police should be more vigilant around educational institutions and should conduct raids whenever the necessity arises.
“Visible policing would prevent this kind of commission of offences and it would also save the students/ youngsters from falling prey to the dangerous consequences of tobacco eating or consuming ganja or other banned products”, said Justice N. Kirubakaran while passing further interim orders on a petition from M/s Studio 11, which sought a direction to the police to take steps against the persons who smoke in public places.
The judge said the people of Tamil Nadu were already suffering because of easy availability and accessibility of liquor and many families were shattered. If the youngsters were going to be spoiled, then there will not be any future for our younger generations.
These things have to be taken into consideration and in the next hearing, the police have to give details of institutions in which the banned items were available and the number of raids conducted and the items seized and other actions taken, the judge added and posted to November 6, further hearing of the case.
The judge said in response to his queries posed earlier that the police filed a reply stating prohibited products gain entry into Tamil Nadu from bordering states through various transport means and a close vigil was being maintained.
No clandestine units manufacturing banned products exist in the state.
However, there were many reports in the newspapers which would show that many units were operating in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, a detailed report needs to be filed by the police, the judge added.
The judge said in the reply, it has been stated that periodical checks were being conducted from June 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017 regarding smoking in public places and as many as 25,946 persons have been fined and '35,29,405 has been collected as fine from the offenders.
Regarding the raids conducted in the shops located near schools, as many as more than 3,579 persons have been fined and '7,06,640 has been collected as fine from the offenders. It has been stated that 8,702 shops located near the vicinity of schools have been raided and 8,035 persons arrested.
However, it has to be noted that the FIR has been registered only under bailable sections. Thus, 8,035 persons said to have been arrested was only an eye wash, the judge added.
