CHANDRIKA AGENCY Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A Crime No.575 of 2021 dtd. 9/7/2021 at Patamata Police Station, Vijayawada City, Krishna District, against the petitioner under Ss. 270 and 273 of Indian Penal Code on the ground that the petitioner was caught storing tobacco and tobacco products.

(2.) The cases are being booked against persons, who are found to be either storing or transporting tobacco or tobacco products in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Persons, who are facing such cases, have been approaching this Court for relief.

(3.) In Crl.P.No.5421 of 2019 and batch dtd. 18/12/2019, a learned Single Judge of this Court had held that tobacco does not fall within the definitions of "food" and as such, registration of Crime under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is not permissible.