Supreme Court to Hear DMK's Appeal on Welfare Scheme Branding Controversy

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal from the DMK government on August 6 regarding a Madras High Court decision. The High Court's order had stopped the use of the current and former chief ministers' names and images in state welfare schemes.

Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran will oversee the case after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi highlighted the interim prohibition issued by the lower court. Rohatgi argued that the Supreme Court had previously allowed using CM's name and pictures in such schemes.

The original High Court decision, dated July 31, restricted naming new or rebranded schemes after living individuals and barred images or party symbols in related promotions, affecting Tamil Nadu's 'Ungaludan Stalin' program. The restrictions are aimed solely at scheme naming and promotional elements.

(With inputs from agencies.)