In an unconventional punishment related to a betel quid smuggling case, known as Gutka, a unique sentence was imposed on an accused individual. The Consumer Protection Court in Jacobabad handed down a fine of Rs. 200,000 to the guilty party, along with an order to plant and care for 50 neem trees over the course of a year.
The penalty was the result of the individual’s involvement in the possession of gutka, a banned substance. Moreover, officials from the Forest Department have been tasked with supervising the planting and maintenance of these neem trees.
As part of the court’s ruling, the convict is also required to submit monthly reports to the forest department to ensure compliance with the court’s decision.
The arrest of the accused took place earlier this year, and at the time of arrest, the individual was found to be in possession of 75 kg of gutka.
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In a related case just last month, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) conducted a seizure of a substantial quantity of gutka, taking action against shopkeepers for violating the law. PFA officials discovered 1,100 packets of this prohibited item, which were concealed in secret locations within the shops.
The shopkeepers were issued stern warnings regarding the possession of gutka. Furthermore, the PFA has encouraged citizens to report the sale of any prohibited, dangerous, unhygienic, or harmful items through their helpline 1223. This initiative aims to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations related to banned products.
