HC issues notice to TN govt, Coca-Cola on sale of beverages

The Madras High Court today ordered issue of notice to Tamil Nadu government, soft drink giant Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd and others on a PIL seeking to prohibit the sale of beverages and snacks at exobitant rates in cinema halls in the city.
Hearing the petition by one G Devarajan, Justice M Sathyanarayana ordered issue of notice to Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Private Limited, S2 Cinemas and Special Government Pleader P Sanjay Gandhi on behalf of the Commissioner of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection and Price Control Protection Department, the Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies Consumer protection and price control, along with other authorities.

The petitioner submitted that the theatre owners prevented the movie-goers from bringing food from outside outside, thus leaving the audience with no other option but to purchase them from the stalls inside the halls, which were sold at exorbitant rates.
Alleging that the Hindustan Coco Cola colluded with cinema theatres to swindle the public of their money, he prayed to the Court to direct the concerned authorities to take action against overcharging customers for products and initiate action against them.