Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashes 2016 case against Coca-Cola over dual MRPs

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ruled in favor of Coca-Cola in a case dating back to 2016. The case was registered after an inspection found that a 600 ml Coca-Cola bottle was priced differently at various outlets. The court found that the law at the time did not bar manufacturers from declaring different Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) for the same product. This means that Coca-Cola did not violate any laws by pricing its beverage at two different prices. The court's decision is based on the fact that a ban on dual MRPs came into force only from January 1, 2018. The case against Coca-Cola was therefore quashed due to the lack of any law prohibiting dual MRPs at the time of the alleged offense. The court's ruling provides clarity on the issue of dual MRPs and its implications for manufacturers. The decision is expected to have significant implications for the industry, particularly in relation to pricing practices. The court's finding that there was no law in 2016 to bar Coca-Cola from pricing its beverage at two prices is a key factor in the ruling. The case highlights the importance of understanding the laws and regulations governing pricing practices in the industry.