Supreme Court rejects plea that Arundhati Roy’s book cover promotes smoking

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the cover could not be construed as promoting smoking or advertising tobacco products, and emphasised that neither the author nor the publisher intended to endorse smoking.

The bench refused to interfere with the October 13 decision of the Kerala high court, which had rejected a similar challenge, and observed that the present litigation lacked substance.

“There is a disclaimer in the book. The author [Roy] is a renowned person who has carved out a name for herself. The publisher is also a well-known publisher. They have not promoted smoking, and did not need this photo to promote the book either. What can be your problem? Is it only to get popularity?” the bench asked senior advocate N Gopakumaran Nair, appearing for the petitioner, advocate Rajasimhan.