A week after the Kerala High Court put an interim stop to a contest by Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco), Excise Commissioner M.R. Ajithkumar has fought back. He submitted a counter affidavit saying the contest is not against the Kerala Abkari Act. Bevco had invited people to suggest a name and logo for a new brandy brand to be made at a Palakkad distillery. Ajithkumar stated that the manufacturing firm has not yet received its license. He explained that the Kerala Abkari Act punishes only unlawful advertisements that promote liquor or intoxicants. Criminal charges apply only if the act fits the law's conditions. The Commissioner added that claims of surrogate advertisement have no legal ground because the brand does not exist yet. The Act allows preparatory steps for future products. He asked the court to dismiss the plea, calling it baseless.