Doctors for You v. State of Bihar

Doctors for You, a non-governmental organization, sued the State of Bihar seeking implementation of various provisions of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). In response to the petition, the court ordered that signs informing the public about the negative effects of tobacco be posted at all government primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools as soon as possible. Additionally, the court ordered the local police to create a monthly report about enforcement of the Act and submit the report to various government agencies.

Doctors For You v. State of Bihar, Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.14729 of 2013, High Court of Judicature at Patna (2014).

  • India
  • Aug 11, 2014
  • High Court of Judicature at Patna

Parties

Plaintiff Doctors For You

Defendant

  • Director General of Police, Bihar, Patna
  • Patna Municipal Corporation, through Municipal Commissioner, Patna
  • The Principal Secretary, Department of Education, Government of Bihar, Patna
  • The Principal Secretary, Department of Health, Government of Bihar, Patna
  • The Secretary, Department of Urban Development, Government of Bihar, Patna
  • The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Patna
  • The Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Indian, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110011

Legislation Cited

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None

"Learned counsel further referred to the Monthly Crime Report, 2014 generated by the same Cancer Awareness Society, Patna on the basis of the reports received from the Patna High Court Government authorities that amount of fine realized from those who are violating the provisions of the Act is nominal, which is indicative of the fact that those who are entrusted with execution of the Act are not putting in serious efforts for appropriate execution of the Act, which is causing health hazards to the populace of the State, more prominently to the weaker sections of the society. In this background, it is submitted that this Court should direct the Nodal Officer under the Act to put up display board indicating the bad effect of tobacco use in every Government primary, secondary, +2 schools as early as possible, if not already put up. He further submitted that the Superintendent of Police of every district should be directed to take a report about the execution of the Act from the Officer-in-Charge and others of the police station in monthly crime meeting and then to submit report to the State Crime Bureau for being processed by the Home (Police) Department for appropriate action in the matter with information to the Home Commissioner, Health Secretary and the Chief Secretary of the State. Such report should be sent to the State Crime Bureau and the Home Secretary within a reasonable time at least before the next crime meeting and such process should be continued on regular basis. We direct accordingly."