Dumka: A man was arrested here after tobacco products were found in his possession, the first such arrest in the state, after Jharkhand government imposed a complete ban on all types of tobacco products to prevent spitting in public places that could increase the spread of coronavirus infection.
The man, a driver by profession, was arrested along with the banned tobacoo products at Sarai road, Dumka town police station in-charge Sanjay Kumar Malviya told reports here on Sunday.
A case under section 188 (disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) under the Indian Penal Code was registered against him, he said.
The owner of the car was also arrested, the police said.
The banned materials—eight bundles of khaini (tobacco substance) and two bundles of cigarettes–were seized from the car he was driving, the police officer said.
On April 22, the state government had issued a notification prohibiting cigarette, e-cigarette, bidi, pan masala, hookah, gutka besides jarda and khaini consumption in public places.
The offence will be punishable under section 188 IPC (disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) that would attract imprisonment of six months or fine of Rs 1,000, said Principal Secretary (Health) Nitin Madan Kulkarni.