Bengaluru
In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the recent Rs 2 price increase across all variants of Nandini milk. Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind, presiding over a division bench, emphasized that judicial intervention in matters of pricing policies, especially those concerning essential commodities like milk, should be sparingly exercised unless there is clear evidence of egregious error.
The PIL, filed by Bengaluru-based chartered accountant R Amrithalakshmi, contested the June 26, 2024, notification citing concerns that the burden of the price hike would disproportionately affect consumers opting for the lower variants of Nandini milk. It argued that the increase was not only against commercial prudence but also contravened Article 14 of the Constitution.
Responding to these contentions, the bench reiterated that pricing decisions are primarily within the purview of commercial wisdom and policy frameworks established by entities like the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). They emphasized that such decisions involve multifaceted considerations, predominantly commercial in nature, which fall outside the typical scope of judicial review in public interest litigation.
The court recognizes that the determination of prices for products like milk is a complex process influenced by various factors, the bench remarked. They noted that despite the price hike, KMF had concurrently increased the quantity of milk provided by an additional 50 ml, suggesting a balanced approach to consumer welfare amidst economic realities.
Concluding their decision, the bench declined to entertain the PIL, affirming that it did not find grounds sufficient to challenge the federation’s pricing strategy. This dismissal underscores the judiciary’s deference to commercial discretion while underscoring the complexities involved in regulating essential commodity prices through legal avenues.
