File photo of Delhi High Court.
Delhi High Court has admitted a PIL which sought a ban on smoking in court complex and removal of all shops selling tobacco and cigarette there citing ill-effects on health and contending that people cannot be "subjected to become passive smokers".
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked the High Court's registry to apprise it of the laws in this regard.
"Apprise us with the rules and also the area where these shops are situated," the court said hearing the petition, adding "take instruction from the authority concerned before November 23".
The court posed the query after advocate Vijay Chandra Jha, in his public interest litigation (PIL), stated that "people could not be subjected to becoming passive smokers".
"Near gate no.7 of the Delhi High Court there are fifteen shops including tobacco/cigarette sellers," the plea stated.
He said the High Court has allowed them to run shops, and smoking is injurious to health and it does affect smokers and passive smokers equally causing lung cancer, besides many more serious diseases.
"Article 21 of the Constitution of India, inter alia, provides that none shall be deprived of his life without due process of law," the plea said.
The Tobacco Smoking (Prohibition) Regulations prohibits smoking in enclosed places of work, including office blocks, various buildings, public houses/bars, restaurants and company vehicles (cars and vans).