The high court has restrained the Tobacco Board from actively participating as well as incurring any expenditure during the forthcoming Global Tobacco Networking Forum conference in Bangalore from 4 to 8 October.
A division bench headed by Justice D V Shylendra Kumar passed this interim order after hearing a PIL (public interest litigation) filed by the Institute of Public Health. It had sought an injunction with regard to sponsorship and participation of the government-owned board in the conference. The bench also directed the board to take back the money if it had already been paid to the organisers.
The PIL challenges the sponsorship and participation of the Tobacco Board of India (a government of India entity established under the ministry of industry and commerce) in the Global Tobacco Networking Forum (GTNF), scheduled to be held at ITC Royal Gardenia (near Kanteerva stadium) between 4 to 8 October.
Along with the Tobacco Board of India, the court has also ordered ITC Royal Gardenia, the venue for the event, to comply with all the rules and regulations as laid down under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003 (COTPA). (pi)