Supreme Court Allows Concern Over Liquor in Tetra Packs to Be Taken Up with UP Authority

The Supreme Court has closed a Public Interest Litigation that challenged the alleged sale of liquor in tetra packs under Uttar Pradesh’s excise policy, allowing the petitioner to take the matter to the appropriate state authority.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi noted that there is no clear evidence in the policy permitting liquor sales in tetra pack packaging. However, the Court observed that an administrative decision dated February 4 appeared to allow smaller packaging, though the full policy document was not presented before it.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel raised concerns that such packaging could make alcohol more accessible to children and normalize its use. The Chief Justice responded that packaging alone does not necessarily influence consumption patterns.

As the relevant policy details were not on record, the Court chose not to make further observations. It granted the petitioner permission to submit the issue as a representation to the concerned authority, which can review and decide on the matter.

The Court disposed of the petition, leaving the issue to be examined at the administrative level.