'Sexy' pictures on condom packs to stay, orders SC

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'Sexy' pictures on condom packs to stay, orders SC

23 Sep 2008, 0052 hrs IST, Dhananjay Mahapatra,TNN

NEW DELHI: 'Sexy pictures' on condom packs will remain, at least for

the time being, the Supreme Court said on Monday. It stayed a Madras

high court order which had virtually banned such pictures on condom

packets, terming them as " indecent, obscene " and an affront to

Indian ethos.

The HC order had left Hindustan Latex, the largest manufacturer and

marketer of contraceptives and condoms, so worried that it

requisitioned the services of solicitor general G E Vahanvati to get

it out of the sticky situation. Other private condom manufacturers

were more than eager to join hands with the PSU in appealing against

the HC order.

The SG said, " To promote the usage of condoms in a customer friendly

manner, Hindustan Latex has adopted the strategy of attractive sales

and marketing policy. This strategy has resulted in remarkable

sales. "

Simply put, Vahanvati was most guarded in letting out the trade

secret — the 'sexy pictures' had increased the sale of condoms

remarkably. But, the Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan

and Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal was quick to fathom the

importance of the matter and the need to encourage use of condoms in

a country battling against AIDS.

The bench wasted no time in staying the HC's July 24 order, which

had directed the Advertising Standard Council of India to scrutinise

the 'sexy pictures' circulated with condom packets and had ordered

that no picture would be carried on condom packets without the

council okaying it.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Sexy_pictures_on_condom_pack

s_to_stay_orders_SC/articleshow/3514775.cms