New Delhi, May 19 (H.S.): A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking regulation of the tattoo industry across the country. The petition demands mandatory licensing for tattoo parlours, enforcement of hygiene standards, testing of tattoo inks, and a prohibition on minors getting tattoos without parental consent.

Advocate Abhishek Kumar Chaudhary has filed the petition seeking the formulation of uniform guidelines to regulate the tattoo industry. The plea states that the tattoo industry in India has grown into a business worth more than ₹20,000 crore in recent years, yet there are no clear regulatory standards governing its operation.

The petition further argues that the absence of regulation in the tattoo industry has led to significant public health risks. It highlights concerns that tattoo equipment is often reused on multiple individuals, increasing the risk of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.

The plea cites several media reports, medical journals, and research papers expressing concerns over unsafe tattooing practices. It states that needles and tattoo inks can enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, posing serious health hazards.

The petition also raises concerns about the composition of tattoo inks, noting that many contain heavy metals such as lead and aluminium. It further expresses serious concern regarding tattoos being administered to minors, often without the consent of their fathers or legal guardians. According to the petition, such practices do not constitute valid legal consent under Indian law.

The matter is expected to bring attention to the need for a standardized regulatory framework for the rapidly expanding tattoo industry in India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar