Chennai e-cigarette possession prosecution quashed
Police in Chennai filed a final report alleging possession of six packets of e-cigarettes by a 21-year-old. The High Court held that no court could take cognizance except on a written complaint by an authorised officer. Proceedings before the George Town magistrate were quashed subject to the petitioner's filing an affidavit undertaking not to use e-cigarettes.
This page records what the cited court records say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →Proceedings quashed on 21-07-2026, subject to filing an affidavit undertaking not to use electronic cigarettes.
What happened
The High Court recorded that C-5 Kothaval Chavadi Police Station in Chennai registered Crime No. 173 of 2025 and filed a final report before the VIII Metropolitan Magistrate, George Town, in STC No. 641 of 2026.
The order states that the petitioner was found in possession of six packets of electronic cigarettes, and that the final report invoked Section 4 read with Section 7 of the 2019 Act.
The High Court noted the statutory bar that no court can take cognizance of an offence under the Act except upon a written complaint by an authorised officer.
The High Court allowed the petition and quashed the magistrate proceedings subject to the petitioner's filing an affidavit undertaking not to use electronic cigarettes in any manner.
What the record says
“in possession of electronic cigarettes, totally six packets”
CRL OP No. 19258 of 2026, Madras High Court order dated 21-07-2026 — read the full text
No complaining victim
The case concerned alleged possession of six packets of electronic cigarettes; the High Court quashed the proceedings because the required written complaint by an authorised officer had not been filed.
What we could not confirm
The judgment does not specify the incident date beyond Crime No. 173 of 2025.