Kerala HC refuses stay on cola ban

A division bench defers the final hearing of the case to Sept 11.

The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to stay the state government order banning the manufacture and sale of Coca Cola and Pepsi in the state.

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A division bench comprising Chief Justice VK Bali and Justice M Ramachandran posted the case for final hearing on September 11.

Even though the counsels of the two soft drinks majors - Coca Cola and PepsiCo - insisted for an interim stay order, the bench said that the matter will be finally decided after hearing all the parties.

In separate petitions, Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Ltd and Pepsi India Holdings Private Ltd had sought quashing the state government's ban order of August 10 and order of the Director of Health Services of August 11.

They also wanted a direction prohibiting the state government from taking action against them.