Desk Correspondent , New Delhi — The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, states, and union territories regarding a public interest litigation seeking a nationwide ban on the sale of alcohol in "inconspicuous packaging," including tetra packs, plastic sachets, and portable PET bottles. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi agreed to hear the petition, which argues that uniform standards for "bottling" must be established across all state excise policies to restrict liquor sales strictly to glass containers or visibly distinct receptacles.

Filed by the NGO Community Against Drunken Driving, the plea highlights severe risks associated with deceptive packaging, including increased underage consumption, public drinking, ease of smuggling, and environmental degradation caused by non-recyclable materials. Advocate Vipin Nair, representing the petitioner, argued that several liquor brands deliberately mimic fruit juice cartons by using vivid colors and images of fruits like green apples or mangoes. The bench itself observed the practice as "very deceptive" after Nair noted that products like "Bunty Premium Vodka" and "Premium Romanov Vodka – Apple Thrill" confuse consumers and lack prominent health warnings.

The petitioner contends that current state excise laws grant authorities unchecked discretion to permit varied packaging solely to maximize fiscal revenue, ignoring public health and environmental concerns. Because these compact, inconspicuous packs are easily sneaked into parks and educational institutions, the NGO argues that direct intervention from the apex court is essential to safeguard citizens' fundamental rights. The central government and state excise departments must now submit their formal responses to the court.