Manufacture, sale of gutka may be banned in Karnataka

Bangalore, May 31: The state government is understood to have decided to ban the manufacture and sale of gutka and panmasala.

A formal announcement in this regard is likely to be made on the occasion of World Tobacco Day on Friday.

Gutka has been banned as per the Centre's Food Safety and Standards of India Act. Though the Union government notified the Act a year ago making it mandatory for all states to ban gutka, the state had shied away from it, apparently yielding to the pressure from arecanut growers.

However, areca growers say that the ban is being imposed due to lobbying by cigarette manufacturers.

The Health Department had put up a proposal on banning gutka soon after the Centre's notification. But the then BJP government shelved the proposal bowing to pressure from arecanut growers. Doctors' associations and Petitions Committee of the Legislature, too, had recommended immediate ban.

Health Minister U T Khader had earlier in the day told reporters that people, especially the youth, are badly affected due to consumption of gutka. “About 20 states have already banned gutka. We have collected data on how the consumption has been a health hazard. Besides, the Supreme Court, too, has ordered in favour of a ban. Hence, the government is seriously considering it,” he added.

The minister said arecanut growers will not be affected.

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Post-Sabarimala pilgrimage drinking party turns fatal in Udupi; youth killed in midnight brawl

News Network

December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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