An advocate has approached the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe into recent the allegation of adulteration of milk by private producers.
Moving a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, advocate A.P. Suryaprakasam also wanted the court to enhance the punishment for the offence of food adulteration to life imprisonment.
According to the petitioner, milk plays a vital role in shaping the mind and body of every human being. “If the citizens are forced to consume adulterated milk, then the government, responsible for the health and safety of the citizens, has to be taken to task for not discharging its statutory duties,” he said.
Noting that he was shocked and surprised to read the statements of the State Dairy Development Minister that private milk firms were using harmful chemicals in the milk they produce, the petitioner said that the Minister had in fact asserted that he was making the statement only after he was absolutely sure about the adulteration.
Claiming that it was unfortunate that the authorities in spite of concrete proof available with them, have so far not taken any action against the adulterators, the petitioner wanted the court to direct necessary steps to urgently add to the provisions of Indian Penal Code for enhancing the punishment for the adulterators of milk and milk products to life sentence.
The petition is likely to be heard by the First Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday.
