Betel leaves to be disposed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20 2020:
Duty Magistrate Imphal West today rejected the Zima application to release the seized betel leaves and directed IO of the case to dispose the leaves on April 24 in the presence of print and electronic media.
The betel leaves were reportedly seized from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on April 4 .
The order was passed today after it was kept reserved after the continuous hearing of the Zima application and Zima objection of Singjamei police on April 9, April 17 and April 18 .
The Court observed that transportation of betel leaves is not illegal, but doing it without the prior permission of authorities concerned during the lockdown is illegal.
Moreover there is also the question of whether consuming betel leaves when there is a lockdown due to COVID-19 is good for the health of the public.
None of the Zima petitioners have been able to establish that they are the owners of the seized betel leaves, observed the Court and ruled that the seized betel leaves should be disposed in the presence of media persons on April 24 .