Mumbai man sells cigarettes to minor, could face 7 years in jail, fine of ₹1 lakh

Mumbai city news: Police used the boy’s Aadhaar card to verify his age

A 20-year-old man running a pan-beedi shop in Andheri (West) was arrested for allegedly selling two cigarettes worth Rs10 to a 16-year-old around 7.45 pm on Saturday. If convicted, he may be sentenced to seven years in jail and may have to pay a fine of Rs1 lakh, under section 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

The accused was produced before a court and sent to judicial custody till June 23. (HT File Photo)

Amboli police said they were patrolling Veera Desai Road, when they saw a young boy buying something from a paan shop. Suspecting him of being underage, the cops kept an eye on him and saw he had bought two cigarettes.

They asked the boy to show them his Aadhaar card, which verified his age. Police then nabbed the shopkeeper under section 6A of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. He was produced before a court and sent to judicial custody till June 23.

Cops produced the boy and his parents before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).