Srikrishna, J. - (1.) Leave granted in the special leave petitions and the writ petition is admitted.
(2.) These appeals and writ petition arise from different areas and, though marginally differing on facts, raise substantially similar issues of law. They can, therefore, be conveniently disposed of by a common judgment.
(3.) The common issue raised for consideration of this Court in all these cases is the validity of Notifications issued by the Food (Health) Authority under Section 7(iv) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) by which the manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of pan masala and gutka (pan masala containing tobacco) were banned for different periods. We shall take the facts in the civil appeal arising out of Special Leave Petition No. 24449 of 2002 as typical of the cases. Facts Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (C) No. 24449 of 2002;