Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 13 -- The Kerala high court on Thursday put an interim stay on a contest by the state-run liquor retailer and a distillery firm inviting suggestions from the public for a name and logo for a brandy product.

Two public interest litigations (PILs) had challenged the contest on grounds that it promotes consumption of alcohol and violates provisions of the Kerala Abkari Act. One of the petitioners behind the PIL contended that the Malabar Distilleries Ltd even announced a prize for the winner of the contest.

However, the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) said in a counter filed in the high court that it has not issued any notification or press release for such a contest. The petitioner sought to know whethe...