Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 21: In a determined move to shield schoolchildren from harmful substances, Mumbai Police Zone-5 has launched a targeted crackdown on the illegal sale of intoxicants near educational institutions. The operation, conducted between June 18 and 20, resulted in the booking of eight individuals under Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

The accused were allegedly caught selling intoxicating drinks, narcotics, tobacco, and psychotropic substances to minors under the age of 18. These illegal sales were taking place within a 100-meter radius of schools and colleges in areas including Dadar, Shivaji Park, Mahim, Shahunagar, Dharavi, Kurla, and Vinoba Bhave Nagar.

Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act mandates stringent penalties, including up to seven years of imprisonment and fines of up to ?1 lakh, for selling intoxicants to minors.

The enforcement drive also involved coordinated action with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As part of this joint initiative, authorities carried out 56 eviction and seizure operations targeting hawkers and vendors selling prohibited products near school zones. Additionally, 111 separate actions were taken under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) to further clamp down on the illegal tobacco trade near children’s institutions.

Officials emphasized that the drive reflects their zero-tolerance approach to substances endangering minors and said similar operations would continue across the city in the coming weeks.