New Delhi, 5 December (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition that sought a ban on the sale and promotion of author Arundhati Roy’s book Mother Mary Comes to Me. A bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant rejected the petition, remarking that it appeared to be a “publicity stunt.”

Earlier, on October 13, the Kerala High Court had dismissed a similar plea. Following that decision, petitioner Rajsimham approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order.

The petition alleged that the book’s cover shows the author smoking a cigarette and therefore violates the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. It sought an injunction on the book’s sale and promotional activities.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice observed that Arundhati Roy is a well-known author and that she has not promoted smoking in any manner. The court also noted that the book carries the mandated statutory health warning. The bench concluded that there was no reason to interfere with the Kerala High Court’s order and accordingly dismissed the plea.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar