SC issues notice to Centre on Nestle’s plea

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear Nestle's plea challenging the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) order directing fresh testing of samples of Maggi noodles and issued notice to the Centre.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C Pant posted Nestle's plea seeking stay on the consumer court order for hearing on Wednesday and asked the Centre to spell out its stand on it. The bench had earlier issued notice to the company on the Centre's plea challenging the Bombay HC order on lifting ban on Maggi.

While hearing a class action suit filed by the government against Nestle India, the consumer court on December 9 ordered tests on 16 additional samples of Maggi noodles by designated laboratories.

The Commission directed that all testing be completed by the next hearing on January 11.

The Centre has filed a class action suit before NCDRC against Nestle, alleging that it's involved in unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. It has sought Rs 640 crore in compensation.