The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday dismissed with costs a public interest writ petition seeking a ban on supply of soft drinks including Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the state, in the wake of reports of pesticide residues in the bottled soft drinks.

Coca-Cola India has welcomed the dismissal of a law suit in the Hyderabad High Court.

The petition was filed by K Krishna Vijay, secretary of Indian Young Lawyers' Forum, an unregistered organisation.

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While dismissing the petition, Chief Justice Devender Gupta observed that the petitioner made wild and serious allegations merely on the basis of media reports.

The petitioner was also not prepared to own responsibility for scientific analysis made by Delhi-based NGO Centre for Science and Environment which raised stink over pesticide residues.

The court concluded that the petitioner had filed the petition to gain 'cheap publicity but not to serve any public interest.'

The judge imposed costs to the tune of Rs 10,000 on the petitioner.

Coca-Cola welcomes dismissal of lawsuit

Coca-Cola India has welcomed the dismissal of a law suit in the Hyderabad High Court, filed by the Young Lawyers Association, which questioned the safety of the company's products.

In a statement, the company said the HC decision vindicated its position and should reassure consumers that its products are safe.

"The use of unaccredited laboratories produces results at odds with both government and accredited independent labs. It has scared consumers unnecessarily and jeopardised thousands of jobs throughout the country," Coca-Cola India president Sanjiv Gutpa said.

It said the company takes the safety of its consumers seriously and its products in India adhere to the same rigorous quality standards as followed worldwide.