Supreme Court slams liquor in tetra packs: ‘Looks like juice, dangerous for kids’

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious concern over liquor being sold in tetra pack, saying school kids can easily access it.

“What is this — a juice packet? Should liquor in tetra-packs be permitted at all?” a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked as it termed the practice “dangerous and deceiving”.

While hearing a trademark dispute between two liquor giants, the bench noted that the sale of liquor in tetra packs may provide easy access to school-going children and, being deceptive in looks, it may go unnoticed by parents as well.

It strongly disapproved of state governments for prioritising revenue over public health, while voicing concern about the sale of liquor in tetra packs.

The top court was hearing a trademark dispute between John Distilleries Pvt Ltd, which sells the product ‘Original Choice’ whiskey, and Allied Blenders and Distilleries Pvt Ltd, which produces ‘Officers Choice’ whiskey.

It appointed former top court judge L Nageswara Rao as mediator to settle the dispute amicably between both the liquor firms, which command a major share in the country’s whiskey market.

As senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing John Distilleries Pvt Ltd, produced tetra packs of both the products to the bench, Justice Kant asked, “What is this packet — juice?”

Rohatgi said that these were tetra packs of whiskey — one of the highest-selling products in Karnataka.

“Should this at all be permitted? We think this is very dangerous. It can be taken to schools or colleges by students in their bags. Parents can be easily deceived,” Justice Kant said, adding this was the first time in his life that he was seeing liquor in tetra packs.

“How did the governments permit these kinds of packets? If someone files public interest litigation, we would like to examine,” the bench said.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Allied Blenders and Distilleries Pvt Ltd, said there were other brands as well in the market and governments were only interested in earning revenue from sale of these products.

“Just understand how many tons are wasted on health because of earning revenue... trading on the health of the people,” Justice Bagchi commented.

“This is how it is. Your lordships may look at this issue later, I have no difficulty,” Rohatgi said.