Kochi, February 12 The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed a contest announced by Malabar Distilleries seeking a name and logo for its upcoming brand of brandy.
A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M issued the interim order in response to two separate pleas filed by Kollam resident M M Sanjeev Kumar and Kottayam native Chinthu Kurian Joy, who opposed the contest, which offered a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
The petitioners argued that if the contest were allowed, it would set a bad precedent and claimed that it violated provisions of the Abkari Act.
The Kerala State Beverages (Manufacturing and Marketing) Corporation, BEVCO, told the court that the contest advertisement in question was issued by Malabar Distilleries Ltd.
BEVCO claimed that it had no involvement in the matter.
The two petitions have been listed for hearing on March 12.