HC warns Outlook against publishing liquor ads

Observing that publishing direct advertisements of liquor companies would invite prosecution, the Delhi High Court has warned the publisher of weekly news magazine Outlook against publishing the commercials of Royal Challenge whiskey.

The court's warning came over a petition filed by one NGO Nirmal Sahara, which alleged that the magazine published direct and surrogate advertisements of Royal Challenge.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for the magazine filed his submission and assured the court that Outlook would not publish such advertisements in future.

In its petition, the NGO alleged that Outlook in its issues dated April 13, April 20 and April 27 this year had published direct advertisements Royal Challenge whiskey.

On this, a division bench headed by Chief Justice A P Shah observed that any direct advertisement of liquor would invite prosecution.

Submitting copies of advertisements in its petition, the NGO alleged that it was violation of law. It also added that the advertisements did not give any statutory warnings.

It further submitted that the such advertisements are banned under government's rules and guidelines.

The NGO also alleged that Outlook published the surrogate advertisements of Royal Challenge as Mallya, who owns the brand, has also named his IPL T20 team 'Royal Challengers'.

Outlooks is printed and published by Maheshwer Peri on behalf of Outlook Publishing India Pvt Ltd.