Three pan shop owners booked for selling tobacco products to minors near school in Jadcherla

EAGLE Force, in coordination with Mahabubnagar police, arrested three pan shop owners for allegedly selling cigarettes and gutka to minors near ZPHS (Boys) at Badepally in Jadcherla. It was determined that the stores were operating 100 meters away from the school building.

The accused were identified as 50-year-old Abed Mohiddin Khan, who runs ‘AK Pan Shop’, and 25-year-old Mohd from Thimmajipet in Nagarkurnool. Abdul Qayyum of Old Bazar in Jadcherla town, owner of ‘Zakeer Pan Shop’ and 25-year-old Sd. Fahimuddin of Fazal Banda, who runs ‘Mathin Pan Shop’ in Mahabubnagar.

According to officials, the action followed a complaint received on February 19 from EAGLE Force’s toll-free number 1908, alleging that three kiosks near the school were selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to students. A three-member team from Mahabubnagar narcotics control started surveillance at the shops following instructions to conduct secret verification.

During the observation, the team allegedly observed cigarettes and gutka being sold to eight young students. Four young people were caught and tobacco products were seized from them. The local police were informed and three cases were registered under Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act and Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act in coordination with the EAGLE Force.

Officials said video evidence was recorded during the operation. They added that the stores were located within a prohibited distance from the school, making it illegal to sell tobacco products.

This development follows EAGLE Force’s previous information regarding the use of banned electronic cigarettes by school students. In an incident reported two months ago, students of a private school were found to be using e-cigarettes on campus.