HC issues interim stay on Bevco contest

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (February 12, 2026) granted an interim stay on a contest announced by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) inviting members of the public to suggest a name and logo for a new brand of brandy proposed to be manufactured at a distillery in Palakkad.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. passed the order while hearing two public interest litigations challenging the conduct of the contest. The petitioners contended that the initiative would set a detrimental precedent and promote liquor consumption, potentially prompting private liquor companies to adopt similar practices. They further argued that the contest violated provisions of the Abkari Act, which prescribes penalties for unlawful advertisements.

Bevco, however, submitted that it is a State government-owned corporation and maintained that it had not issued any official notification or press release regarding the contest.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on March 12.