Kerala HC reserves orders on Pepsi, Coke pleas

The Kerala High Court today reserved orders on two petitions filed by softdrink majors Coca Cola and Pepsi challenging the Kerala government's ban on the manufacture and sale of their products.

A division bench,comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice M Ramachandran, posted the case for orders after an elaborate two-day sitting.

Counsel for the petitioners - Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages and Pepsi India Holdings - reiterated that the state government had no power to impose a ban on the manufacture and sale of Coca Cola and Pepsi.

Meanwhile, Perumatty Panchayat, where the Coca Cola plant in the state is located, today impleaded itself in the case. The panchayat defended the government at today's hearing.

Earlier, the panchayat, in Kerala's Palakaad district, had taken steps to stop the manufacture of the softdrink. It had also refused to renew the license of Coca Cola alleging that its softdrinks contained cadmium which was harmful. However, the company approached the court following which the panchayat was directed to renew the license.