JUDGMENT

(Common Prayer: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents herein to remove the seal put on the petitioner shop at situated at Thuvakudi, Thanjavur Main Road, Trichy District forthwith on the basis of the petitioner representation dated 18.12.2023.)

1. The writ petitioners are running petty shops. On 16.12.2023, the second respondent and a team of officials inspected their shops. According to the second respondent, the petitioners were keeping banned tobacco products for sale. The shops were also locked and sealed. Seeking removal of the seals, the present writ petitions came to be filed.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners reiterated all the contentions set out in the affidavits filed in support of the writ petitions and called upon this Court to grant relief as prayed for.

3. The learned Additional Advocate General submitted that the petitions deserve summary dismissal. He pointed out that sale of gutka and such other products is having a serious bearing on public health. He submitted that such acts constitute a menace to the society. The statutory provisions set out in th