Tobacco Kills a Person Every 4 Seconds. India Must Do More- World No Tobacco Day

By Adv. Amarjeet Singh, Founder, PRAN – Policy Research Action Network Foundation · 31 May 2026 · World No Tobacco Day

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Every time I walk past a pan shop near a school gate — and I have seen this in Rohtak, in Delhi, in small towns across Haryana — I see the same thing: children buying chips and biscuits, and right next to the counter, a neat rack of gutka pouches, loose cigarettes, and flavoured tobacco sachets priced at ₹5. No warning. No barrier. No enforcement.

Today is World No Tobacco Day, and while the world lights candles for the 8 million people tobacco kills every year, India — home to the world's second-largest population of tobacco users — continues to treat this as a problem to be managed rather than a crisis to be resolved.

As an advocate and citizen, I refuse to accept that this is simply how things are.

"No citizen should lose their life to a product the government is legally empowered to ban outright — and yet chooses only to regulate." — Amarjeet Singh, Founder, PRAN Foundation

The Scale of the Crisis

🚬 Tobacco's toll on India

India has approximately 267 million tobacco users. Each year, over 1.35 million Indians die from tobacco-related diseases — one death every 23 seconds on our soil alone. Oral cancers, lung disease, cardiovascular failure: tobacco does not discriminate by age, income, or geography. It reaches into villages through bidis and gutka; it reaches into cities through cigarettes and e-cigarettes marketed as lifestyle choices.

⚖️ The law we have — but don't enforce

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) is one of the strongest tobacco control statutes in the world on paper. Section 4 bans smoking in public places. Section 5 prohibits all forms of direct and indirect tobacco advertising. Section 6(b) mandates a strict 100-metre tobacco-free zone around educational institutions. India ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004 — a binding international treaty that obligates us to protect citizens from the tobacco industry's commercial interests. And yet, enforcement on the ground remains patchy at best, absent at worst.

🏫 When children are the target

The tobacco industry knows exactly what it is doing. Single sticks sold at ₹5, flavoured tobacco marketed in bright packaging, surrogate advertising disguised as pan masala — these are not accidents of the market. They are deliberate strategies to recruit young users before they know better. Our children are not consumers to be acquired. They are citizens to be protected.

The Law Is Already There

We do not need new laws. We need the courage to enforce the ones we have.

COTPA 2003 bans tobacco sales within 100 metres of schools and colleges under Section 6(b). The 85% pictorial health warning on all tobacco packaging — one of the largest in the world — is a Supreme Court-backed mandate. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 guarantees every citizen the right to be protected against goods hazardous to life and property. FCTC Article 13 prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship in all its forms. These are not suggestions. They are legal obligations — on the state, on industry, and on all of us who watch violations happen without speaking up.

Moving From Observation to Action

At PRAN Foundation, we believe legal literacy is the first step toward civic accountability. For years, I have worked in consumer rights, public interest litigation, and policy advocacy — and the most consistent pattern I have seen is this: violations persist not because the law is absent, but because citizens do not know they have the right to demand enforcement.

World No Tobacco Day is not just a date on a calendar. For us, it is an opportunity to remind every Indian — every parent, every teacher, every young person — that the right to breathe clean air and to live free from manufactured addiction is not charity. It is a constitutional entitlement.

How You Can Help

1. Observe — If you see a tobacco or gutka outlet within 100 metres of a school, college, or hospital, note the location, photograph the shop (without capturing minors), and document the date and time. What you see matters. Your testimony is evidence.
2. Demand — Write to your District Collector, local Municipal Corporation, or the state Health Department citing Section 6(b) of COTPA 2003. You can also file a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000) if mislabelled or unlawfully sold tobacco has harmed you or your family. The law is on your side — use it.
3. Share — Awareness is enforcement's first cousin. Share credible information about tobacco's harms, COTPA rights, and cessation resources (National Tobacco Cessation Helpline: 1800-11-2356) in your networks. Amplify the conversation using #TobaccoFreeIndia and #WorldNoTobaccoDay. Every share is a seed.

Our Goal

✦ Full, measurable enforcement of 100-metre tobacco-free zones around all educational institutions across India

✦ Stricter action against surrogate advertising by tobacco brands under the guise of pan masala and elaichi products

✦ Nationwide public awareness campaign for the National Tobacco Cessation Helpline (1800-11-2356)

✦ Integration of tobacco-related consumer grievances into district-level Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions

✦ Mandatory tobacco cessation sensitisation in all government health facilities under Ayushman Bharat

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Join PRAN Foundation's legal awareness and public policy advocacy. Together, we can move from awareness to accountability.

🌐 www.publicrightaction.org | ✉️ pranfoundationindia@gmail.com | 📞 +91-8920798501

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Adv. Amarjeet Singh Founder & Executive Director, PRAN Foundation | Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Adv. Amarjeet Singh is a practising advocate at the Supreme Court of India and Patiala House Court Complex with over 20 years of experience in consumer law, constitutional litigation, PIL, and public policy. He is the Founder and Executive Director of PRAN (Policy Research Action Network) Foundation, a Section 8 non-profit committed to evidence-based advocacy, legal empowerment, and citizen-centric policy reform.

#TobaccoFreeIndia  #WorldNoTobaccoDay #WorldNoTobaccoDay2026 #UnmaskTheAppeal #CounteringTobacco #TobaccoAndNicotineAddiction #PublicHealthIndia #ConsumerRights #PRANFoundation #PublicRightAction #COTPA #COTPA2003 #WHOFTCT #TobaccoControl #RightToSafeProducts #PublicHealthPolicy #TobaccoKills #NoTobacco #QuitTobacco #TobaccoCessation #HealthForAll #NonCommunicableDiseases #NCDs #ObserveReportAct #CitizenAction #AdvocacyForHealth #SchoolsFreeFromTobacco #ProtectChildrenFromTobacco

What To Do Immediately After Online Fraud in India: A Practical Citizen’s Guide

 By Adv. Amarjeet Singh | Founder, PRAN – Policy Research Action Network Foundation

A phone call comes claiming to be from your bank. A message says your KYC will expire. Someone sends a QR code and asks you to “receive money.” Within minutes, money disappears from your account.

Unfortunately, this is no longer rare in India. From students and salaried employees to shopkeepers and senior citizens, cyber frauds are affecting ordinary people every day. Many victims panic, delay reporting, or do not know where to seek help. In several cases, immediate action can help stop or recover fraudulent transactions.

This article explains, in simple language, what citizens should do immediately after online fraud, where to complain, and what legal protections and remedies are available.

Common Types of Online Frauds in India

Fraudsters often create panic, urgency, or fear to manipulate victims. Some of the most common scams include:

• OTP and banking frauds
• Fake KYC update calls
• UPI and QR code scams
• Screen-sharing app frauds
• WhatsApp impersonation & Telegram job scams
• Digital arrest & sextortion blackmail

The First 30 Minutes Are Extremely Important

If online fraud happens, do not panic — act quickly.

Step 1: Call Cyber Helpline 1930 Immediately

India’s national cyber fraud helpline is 1930. This is one of the most important steps. The faster you report, the higher the possibility of freezing the transaction, tracing the fraud route, or stopping further transfers.

 

Keep ready before you call: Mobile number, bank details, transaction details, time of fraud, and screenshots.

 

Step 2: Inform Your Bank (The "Golden Window")

Call your bank’s customer care to block suspicious transactions and freeze your compromised cards or UPI. Always send a written complaint through email, your banking app, or the branch complaint system to create a paper trail.

Step 3: File a Complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal

Citizens can file a detailed complaint at Upload screenshots, payment details, transaction IDs, phone numbers of the scammers, and chat records. Do NOT delete any digital footprint of the scam.

The RBI "3-Day Zero Liability" Rule

Most citizens are unaware that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides strict protections for victims under its July 2017 circular. Your liability depends on how fast you report the fraud:

• Report within 3 Working Days: If you report a third-party fraud (where neither you nor the bank is at fault) to your bank within 3 working days, your liability is ZERO. The bank must credit the disputed amount back to your account (a "shadow reversal") within 10 working days.
• Report within 4 to 7 Working Days: Your liability is capped (usually between ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 depending on your account type).
• Report after 7 Days: Liability is determined by the bank’s board-approved policy.

Important exception for negligence: If the fraud occurred because you shared your OTP, PIN, or password, you will bear the loss until the moment you report it to the bank. However, the bank is liable for any unauthorized transactions that occur after you have reported the fraud.

How to Actually Get Frozen Money Back from the Court

If the cyber police successfully freeze the scammer's bank account (a "mule account") with your money inside, the money does not automatically bounce back to you. You must claim it through the court system.

Under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), here is the procedure:

1. The Freeze: The police freeze the funds under Section 106 of the BNSS and report the seizure to the local Magistrate.
2. The Application: You (or your advocate) must file an application before the Jurisdictional Magistrate under Section 497 or 503 of the BNSS (formerly Sections 451/457 of the CrPC) for the interim release of the frozen funds.
3. The Evidence: The court will review your FIR, bank statements, and the police report to confirm you are the rightful owner. You may be asked to sign an indemnity bond (a promise to return the money if another legal claim arises later).
4. The Release Order: The Magistrate will then issue a release order directing the bank to transfer the frozen amount back into your account.

 

Where Else Can Citizens Seek Help?

Authority/Platform	Best Used For
RBI Ombudsman (cms.rbi.org.in)	Unauthorized transactions, banking negligence, and complaint non-resolution (if the bank fails to resolve your complaint within 90 days).
Consumer Commission	Cases involving service deficiency, institutional negligence, or unfair trade practices.

 

Important Safety Tips for Citizens

❌ NEVER	✅ ALWAYS
Share OTPs, PINs, or screen-sharing access.	Verify numbers independently.
Click suspicious links via SMS/Email.	Use official apps and websites.
Scan a QR code to "receive" money.	Enable bank transaction alerts.

 

Digital Rights Are Citizen Rights

As India rapidly becomes digital, citizens need awareness, accessible grievance systems, accountability, and practical legal guidance. Cyber safety is not only a technology issue — it is a public rights issue affecting dignity, privacy, finances, and trust. Greater public awareness can prevent countless citizens from becoming victims.

Where Citizens Can Get More Information

Official Government & Regulatory Resources

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal Official Government of India portal for reporting cyber crimes and online financial frauds.
• Website: [suspicious link removed]
• National Cyber Crime Helpline For immediate reporting of online financial frauds.
• Helpline Number: 1930
• Note: Citizens should report fraud as quickly as possible, especially during the “golden hour,” when chances of freezing transactions are higher.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Complaint System For complaints relating to banks, digital payments, unauthorized transactions, and banking service deficiencies.
• RBI CMS Portal: https://cms.rbi.org.in
• RBI Sachet Portal: https://sachet.rbi.org.in
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) Nodal initiative under the Ministry of Home Affairs relating to cybercrime coordination and awareness.
• Website: https://www.i4c.mha.gov.in
• NPCI UPI Dispute Redressal Useful for certain UPI/payment-related grievances.
• Website: [suspicious link removed]

Important Laws & Regulatory Frameworks

Citizens may refer to:

• Information Technology Act, 2000
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
• RBI Guidelines on Unauthorized Electronic Banking Transactions
• RBI Digital Payment Security Directions

 

 

Navigating Cyber Police Stations (Cyber Thanas)

While dialing 1930 is the immediate first step, severe frauds often require a physical First Information Report (FIR) and detailed investigation.

What is a Cyber Police Station?

To handle the technical complexities of digital fraud, state governments have established specialized Cyber Police Stations equipped with cyber forensics labs and trained IT personnel.

• State Infrastructure: As an example, in Haryana, dedicated "Cyber Thanas" operate in every district headquarters (including Rohtak, Hisar, and Gurugram). Similarly, Delhi Police operates dedicated District Cyber Police Stations across all its districts. Citizens in any state can find their local unit through their respective State Police website.

When should you visit a Cyber Police Station?

You should approach a specialized cyber unit rather than a regular police station if the fraud involves:

• Large financial losses (thresholds vary by state, but generally above ₹1–2 Lakhs).
• Complex hacking, corporate data theft, or ransomware.
• Severe cases of identity theft, sextortion, or organized job scams.

(Note: For smaller financial frauds or immediate halting of transactions, the Cyber Help Desk at your regular neighborhood police station is fully equipped to assist).

What to Carry When Visiting the Station:

When visiting a Cyber Thana, do not go empty-handed. Print and carry the following in a physical file to ensure your complaint is registered without delay:

1. A Written Complaint: Addressed to the Station House Officer (SHO), Cyber Police Station, detailing the chronological sequence of events.
2. The 1930 Acknowledgement: The reference number received from the National Cyber Crime Portal or the 1930 helpline.
3. Bank Statements: Officially stamped by your bank (if possible), highlighting the specific fraudulent debit entries.
4. Digital Evidence (Printed): Screenshots of WhatsApp chats, SMS logs, fake websites, or UPI IDs used by the scammer.
5. ID Proof: A self-attested copy of your Aadhaar or PAN card.

About PRAN Foundation

PRAN – Policy Research Action Network Foundation works on public-interest awareness, governance, accountability, legal literacy, and citizen rights issues. The Foundation aims to promote practical legal and digital awareness for ordinary citizens through research, outreach, and public-interest initiatives.

• Website: https://www.publicrightaction.org

Disclaimer: This article is intended for public awareness and informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Citizens should seek appropriate professional or legal assistance depending upon the specific facts of their case.

 

A Village Pond and a Supreme Court Order

Adv. Amarjeet Singh at the Supreme Court of India — 19 May 2026, the day of the hearing.

Case Study  ·  Land Rights  ·  Gram Panchayat

A Village Pond, Five Decades, and a Supreme Court Order

What the dismissal of SLP(C) No. 19032/2024 means for Gram Panchayats across India

By Adv. Amarjeet Singh   |   Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Patiala House Court Complex, New Delhi Founder & Executive Director, PRAN Foundation   |   19 May 2026

 

On 19 May 2026, the Supreme Court of India dismissed SLP(C) No. 19032/2024 — confirming the rights of Gram Panchayat Badopal, Fatehabad, Haryana, over a designated village Johar (pond) that had been in private occupation for over five decades. The dismissal order, passed by a Bench of Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, brings closure to a dispute that had travelled through four forums and eleven years of litigation.

I appeared for the Gram Panchayat as respondent counsel. This is a case study — of the law, of the facts, and of what it takes to protect community land all the way to the apex court.

 

CASE AT A GLANCE
Case	Ram Murti v. Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Haryana & Ors.
SLP No.	SLP(C) No. 19032/2024
Court	Supreme Court of India — Court No. 5
Bench	Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh + Hon'ble Mr. Justice Satish Chandra Sharma
Date of Dismissal	19 May 2026
Land	Khasra No. 137//20 & 21 (16 Kanals) — Village Badopal, Tehsil & Distt. Fatehabad, Haryana
GP Designation	"Aprahan Johar" (Village Pond) — Wajib-ul-Arz (1953) + Consolidation Scheme
Respondent Counsel	Adv. Amarjeet Singh, Advocate

 

What Is a Johar — and Why Does It Matter?

A Johar is a traditional village pond — a common water body that has sustained rural communities in Haryana and Punjab for centuries. It is used for cattle, groundwater recharge, and as a village common. In law, it is classified as Shamilat Deh — land belonging to the village community — and is protected under the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961.

When land is designated "Aprahan Johar" in the Wajib-ul-Arz (the village customary rights record) and in the Consolidation Scheme, it is earmarked specifically for that purpose. It cannot be sold. It cannot be alienated. Any sale deed purporting to transfer such land is void ab initio — nonest in the eyes of law.

Five Decades of Dispute — The Story of This Case

In 1970, a sale deed was executed transferring the disputed land — 16 Kanals designated as village pond — to the Petitioner's father. A mutation was entered. For decades, the land remained in private occupation while the village community was denied its common water body.

When the Gram Panchayat moved legally, the journey through four forums took eleven years:

•       Collector, Fatehabad — decreed in favour of GP (28.02.2012)

•       Commissioner, Hisar Division — appeal dismissed (19.03.2013)

•       Financial Commissioner, Haryana — revision dismissed (16.09.2015)

•       Punjab & Haryana High Court (Division Bench) — CWP No. 8138/2016 dismissed (11.04.2023)

The High Court held that the sale deeds were tainted with voidness and were nonest. The Petitioner's family had no valid title to transfer — and none to hold.

A Special Leave Petition was filed before the Supreme Court. An interim status quo order was granted ex parte on 05.08.2024 — before the Gram Panchayat's counter affidavit was filed, and before this Court decided State of Haryana v. Jai Singh (2025 INSC 1122). Both those gaps were later filled. On 19 May 2026, the SLP was dismissed.

 

When four forums across eleven years have examined the same facts and reached the same conclusion, the Supreme Court's jurisdiction under Article 136 is not an avenue of appeal — it is a doorway against which the law itself stands firm.

 

Why Did the Supreme Court Dismiss the SLP?

Three converging reasons made this an unassailable respondent's case:

1. Concurrent Findings of Four Forums

The Collector, Commissioner, Financial Commissioner, and a Division Bench of the High Court had all examined the facts and reached identical conclusions. Article 136 of the Constitution is not a second appeal on facts. Where four forums have concurrently found in favour of a party, there is no substantial question of law for the Supreme Court to examine.

2. Earmarked Johar — Jai Singh 2025 Settles It

In State of Haryana v. Jai Singh (2025 INSC 1122), the Supreme Court confirmed at Para 52/53 that land specifically earmarked for a common purpose under the Consolidation Scheme vests in the Gram Panchayat. The Petitioner's argument relied on bachat (surplus) land — which is the opposite of earmarked land. Our Johar was designated by name. Jai Singh 2025 confirmed our position completely.

3. The Vendor's Own Admission — Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet

Akbar Mirza — one of the sellers who executed the 1970 sale deed — gave a statement before the District Collector that he was not entitled to transfer the land. On the fundamental principle of nemo dat quod non habet (no one can give what they do not have), the Petitioner's title fell at its very root.

 

What This Judgment Means for Gram Panchayats

This case carries lessons that extend well beyond Village Badopal:

•       Designated Johar land is protected by law — and courts will enforce that protection all the way to the Supreme Court.

•       Concurrent findings across multiple forums create a powerful shield against relitigation. Build your case at the first forum — thoroughly.

•       The counter affidavit before the Supreme Court is often the most important document in a respondent's case. Prepare it as if you may not get to speak.

•       Jai Singh 2025 (2025 INSC 1122) is now the governing precedent on Panchayat land vesting — know it, use it.

•       A sale deed of Shamilat Deh land is void ab initio — no length of possession, no mutation, no Jamabandi entry can cure that fundamental infirmity.

 

What Your Gram Panchayat Should Do

If your Gram Panchayat is facing a similar encroachment on Shamilat Deh, Johar, or common land — act on these steps:

•       Verify the Wajib-ul-Arz and Consolidation Scheme records — they are your primary evidence of earmarking

•       File immediately before the Collector under the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961 — delay weakens your case

•       Collect all revenue records: Khasra Girdawari, Jamabandi, Mutation orders — know what each column means and what it does not mean

•       Document any admissions by the person claiming title — even informal statements before authorities can become critical evidence

•       Oppose any interim orders at the very first opportunity — ex parte stays allowed to operate unchallenged cause irreversible ground damage

•       Consult a lawyer experienced in revenue law and Gram Panchayat matters before the first forum — a strong initial record is the foundation of every appellate victory

 

A Practitioner's Perspective

I have practised law for over two decades — in consumer protection, PIL, constitutional matters, and revenue law. This case reminded me of three principles I return to again and again:

First: Preparation is the only equaliser. In the Supreme Court, you may get five minutes. But those five minutes are built on days of reading, drafting, and distilling. A well-prepared counter affidavit can speak when you cannot — and sometimes, it speaks better.

Second: Silence is a submission too. If the Bench is with you, let it do the work. An advocate who interrupts a favourable Bench has misread the room.

Third: Community land is a trust, not a transaction. Village ponds, common grazing grounds, and shared water bodies were set apart for a reason — for the whole community, for generations. When courts protect them, they protect something that cannot be rebuilt once lost.

 

Conclusion

The dismissal of SLP(C) No. 19032/2024 is not just a victory for Gram Panchayat Badopal. It is a confirmation that the statutory protections built around village common land are real, enforceable, and capable of withstanding challenge at the highest level.

The Aprahan Johar of Village Badopal — a water body that belongs to the community by statute, by custom, and now by a Supreme Court order — comes home today.

 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for legal awareness and public policy discussion only. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers facing specific legal issues should consult a qualified advocate.

 

Need Legal Guidance on Gram Panchayat Land or Community Rights? PRAN (Policy Research Action Network) Foundation provides legal awareness, guidance and support on consumer rights, land rights, PIL and public interest matters. www.publicrightaction.org   |   pranfoundationindia@gmail.com   |   +91-8920798501

 

#SupremeCourt #GramPanchayat #VillagePond #Johar #ShamlatDeh #LandRights #HaryanaLaw #PublicInterest #PIL #LegalAwareness #PRANFoundation #CommunityRights #JaiSingh2025 #IndianLaw

 

हिंदी सार

19 मई 2026 को सर्वोच्च न्यायालय ने ग्राम पंचायत बड़ोपाल, फतेहाबाद, हरियाणा के पक्ष में SLP(C) No. 19032/2024 को खारिज कर दिया। यह मामला गाँव के जोहड़ (तालाब) से जुड़ा था जिसे पाँच दशकों से अवैध तरीके से निजी कब्जे में रखा गया था। चार अलग-अलग न्यायालयों — कलेक्टर, आयुक्त, वित्त आयुक्त और उच्च न्यायालय — ने एक स्वर से पंचायत के पक्ष में निर्णय दिया था। Jai Singh 2025 (2025 INSC 1122) के अनुसार, जोहड़ के रूप में चिह्नित भूमि का स्वामित्व ग्राम पंचायत में निहित होता है। यह निर्णय हरियाणा और पंजाब के सभी ग्राम पंचायतों के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण मिसाल है।

 

Adv. Amarjeet Singh Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Patiala House Court Complex, New Delhi   |   Founder & Executive Director, PRAN Foundation With over 20 years of advocacy experience spanning consumer protection, PIL, constitutional law, revenue matters, and road safety litigation, Adv. Amarjeet Singh founded PRAN (Policy Research Action Network) Foundation — a registered Section 8 non-profit — to bridge the gap between law, policy, and people. He practices at the Supreme Court of India and Patiala House Court Complex, New Delhi.