Bombay High Court Refuses Interim Relief on Old Monk Rum Ban; Questions Label Claims

Mumbai, 1st September 2026: The Bombay High Court has refused interim relief against the ban on the sale of Old Monk rum in Maharashtra. However, the court raised concerns over certain descriptions printed on the product’s packaging, observing that claims such as “7 Years Old Blended” and “Very Old Vatted” could potentially mislead consumers.

The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad on Monday.

During the hearing, the manufacturer, Mohan Rocky Springwater, informed the court that it was willing to remove the “7 Years Old Blended” description from the bottle’s label. The company also agreed to prominently mention “Added Flavour” on the packaging.

Taking note of the company’s submission, the court directed it to present a digitally printed draft of the revised label at the next hearing.

The company had approached the High Court challenging orders issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) concerning alleged violations in the product’s labelling and claims related to the ageing and maturity of the alcoholic beverage.

While declining to stay the action against the sale of Old Monk rum, the court’s observations have brought renewed attention to the accuracy and transparency of product claims displayed on alcoholic beverage packaging.

The matter is expected to be heard further after the company submits its proposed revised packaging design before the court.