Bombay High Court takes Suo Motu Action on Sale of Drugs, Cigarettes to College and School Students

The Bombay High Court at Aurangabad took suo motu cognisance of the illegal sale of banned substances, including drugs, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes, near schools and colleges.

The Court acted upon news reports published in the Marathi daily Dainik Sakal dated June 14 and 16, 2025, which exposed how offenders were targeting young, impressionable students.

The Court directed the Registrar (Judicial) to register a suo motu Public Interest Litigation, appointed Senior Advocate PR Katneshwarkar as Amicus Curiae, and emphasised the need for urgent police action to shield students from harmful activities like illegal sale of drugs and e-cigarettes near educational institutions.