Mr. Sivakumar appealed an April 26, 2018 Madras High Court judgment that ordered the transfer of a criminal investigation concerning the illegal manufacture and sale of gutkha and tobacco and/or nicotine pan masala from the State Vigilance Commission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court found that the court below "justly transferred the investigation to CBI after due consideration of all the relevant aspects . . . ." The court agreed that the facts and nature of the crime warranted CBI investigation and dismissed the appeal.
Tobacco companies or front groups may challenge any legislative or regulatory measure that affects their business interests. Unlike public interest litigation, these cases seek to weaken health measures. These cases frequently involve the industry proceeding against the government. For example, a group of restaurant owners challenging a smoke free law as unconstitutional.
Tobacco products that are used by means other than smoking, such as chewing, sniffing, or placing between the teeth and gum. Examples include chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, snuf, snus, gutkha or gutka, and dissolvable tobacco products.
Mr. Sivakumar appealed an April 26, 2018 Madras High Court judgment that ordered the transfer of a criminal investigation concerning the illegal manufacture and sale of gutkha and tobacco and/or nicotine pan masala from the State Vigilance Commission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court found that the court below "justly transferred the investigation to CBI after due consideration of all the relevant aspects . . . ." The court agreed that the facts and nature of the crime warranted CBI investigation and dismissed the appeal.