Talk with proof or be silent, HC warns Dairy Minister

Justice C V Karthikeyan, before whom the civil suits filed by Hatsun, Dodla and Vijay Dairy came up for admission on Monday, on issuing notice to the minister returnable by July 28, said “If there is substantial material to prove adulteration, he (Rajendra Balaji) should specify the name of the private company which indulged in such adulteration and also produce necessary documents to substantiate his charge. This would allay the fear among the general public. Damaging the reputation 

and goodwill of the private manufacturers in general cannot be permitted.”

Also holding that this direction would ensure that the minister makes statements which are substantiated and which can also be rebutted by the affected companies which may or may not include the applicants herein, the judge said. 

“It is hoped that the respondent (Rajendra Balaji) would strictly adhere to the observations made above till July 28, 2017, when the case will be taken up for further hearing.”  The minister had kicked up a row by repeatedly saying, that milk and milk products of private dairies were adulterated with toxic substances. Following this, three top companies have moved court seeking Rs. 1 crore each as compensation from him.