Warning on cigarette packs: Karnataka High Court unhappy with Centre
The court expressed displeasure over the central government's lack of representation in the case.
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of a petition filed by tobacco companies, growers and retailers who have challenged an amendment under the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008 that mandates that tobacco products must display pictorial warnings covering 85 per cent of both sides of the packet. Adjourning the matter, the court expressed displeasure over the central government’s lack of representation in the case.
Earlier, two organisations – Health for Millions and Cancer Patient Association – filed impleading applications seeking to vacate the stay order on the ground that a Supreme Court judgement, on a matter pertaining to the Act mandating 40 per cent of pictorial warnings on packs and upheld it, had stated that an adverse order cannot be passed by the High Courts.
The court said that at its next hearing, it would determine whether it could issue an interim stay or if it would be in contravention of the Supreme Court order.