Karnataka's own 'Hana' soft drinks now set to enter gulf markets
The brand will be launched in Dubai following its launch in Saudi Arabia
Bengaluru: Karnataka-based company 'Swadeshi Food and Beverages' announced that its popular natural and healthy soft drink brand, 'Hana,' will soon be available in the markets of the Gulf countries. Currently, 'Hana' soft drinks are being exported to major markets in Saudi Arabia, and the company plans to introduce them to the markets of Dubai.
Established in 2015, 'Hana' soft drinks have gained significant popularity since their inception. The company's production plants, located in Bengaluru and Mysuru, have been successfully delivering the natural and refreshing beverages. As part of its expansion strategy, 'Hana' aims to diversify into different markets and has planned to set up new production units in Ahmedabad and Mangaluru. Preparations for establishing these units are underway, as stated in the company's release.
The 'Hana' brand is widely recognized for its healthy and natural qualities, with no alcoholic content in its drinks. In addition to Karnataka, the delicious range of 'Hana' soft drinks has garnered a loyal customer base in major cities across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, and Odisha. The brand's popularity in coastal Karnataka has positioned it as a strong competitor to soft drinks offered by renowned multinational companies.
The 'Hana' brand offers a variety of popular drinks, including Ginger, Lemon, Kokum, Mint Lemon, Tamarind, Jeera, Grape, Litchi, Sweet Lassi, Fizz Jeera, Mango, Guava, and buttermilk, available in sizes ranging from 170ml to 2L. In total, more than 12 delightful flavors are offered under the 'Hana' brand.
The company takes pride in its farmer-friendly approach, procuring ingredients such as lemons, ginger, mint, and grapes directly from farmers. By eliminating middlemen, 'Hana' ensures fair practices and aims to empower farmers to become self-sufficient. The brand's commitment to promoting people's health is evident through the exclusive use of natural ingredients, avoiding artificial additives or intoxicants.
In February of this year, 'Hana' soft drinks received positive feedback at the prestigious "Gulf Food" fair for soft drinks held in Dubai, attended by representatives from leading companies across 155 countries. Encouraged by the response, several companies expressed interest in introducing 'Hana' products in markets worldwide and extended invitations to collaborate. Responding to these opportunities, 'Hana' has prioritized entering the Gulf countries' market and has already made significant strides in Saudi Arabia. The company plans to enter the Dubai market soon and aims to reach consumers across all Gulf markets in the coming two months.
The expansion of 'Hana' soft drinks to the Gulf countries signifies a significant milestone for 'Swadeshi Food and Beverages' and presents an opportunity to introduce their natural and refreshing beverages to a broader international audience.
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HC seeks mechanism on disclosure of complaints against judges after SC says no data maintained
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court sought suggestions for a framework to balance transparency and judicial independence on April 1, after the Supreme Court submitted that it does not maintain judge-specific data on complaints alleging corruption or misconduct.
The submission was made by Advocate Rukhmini Bobde. He appeared for the Supreme Court’s Central Public Information Officer, before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav in a petition filed by journalist and RTI activist Saurav Das. The case concerns an RTI application filed by Das in April 2023 seeking information on whether any complaints had been received against Justice T. Raja, former Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and if so, the number of such complaints and action taken.
According to a detailed report published by The Wire, the CPIO declined the request and stated that the information was “not maintained in the manner as sought for.” The first appellate authority upheld the decision. Although the Central Information Commission remanded the matter, the CPIO reaffirmed the refusal on similar grounds, which led Das to move the high court through Advocate Prashant Bhushan.
At the hearing, Justice Kaurav observed that the issue had wider institutional implications. It directed both sides to propose a mechanism that would protect the reputation of judges while ensuring public access to information regarding the handling of complaints. The case, Saurav Das v. CPIO, Supreme Court of India has been listed for further hearing on May 7.
During the arguments, Bhushan cited numbers released by the Union Law Ministry in Parliament in February 2026, which said that 8,630 complaints had been filed against sitting judges between 2016 and 2025. The Supreme Court provided data showing that complaints increased from 729 in 2016 to 1,102 in 2025. Bhushan questioned how aggregate data could be calculated without identifying the judges against whom complaints were filed.
Bobde responded that the data shared with Parliament reflected only total complaints against all sitting judges and did not involve judge-wise categorisation. She referred to the RTI request as a "fishing and roving inquiry." She also claimed that the Registry could not be forced to spend resources to collect material that was not stored in the format sought. She referenced the 2019 Constitution Bench decision in Supreme Court of India v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal, which allows for rejection if compliance will disproportionately divert resources, as her justification.
The high court questioned how no judge-specific information was maintained and expressed concern that disclosure of large aggregate figures without clarity on how complaints were handled could affect public perception. Justice Kaurav noted that an applicant could not be denied information solely on technical grounds relating to format.
Bhushan argued that the RTI request did not seek details of complaint contents or collegium deliberations but merely whether complaints were received and what action followed, submitting that transparency in the handling of complaints was essential to maintain public confidence.
The Supreme Court’s in-house procedure for examining complaints, adopted in 1999, provides for scrutiny by the Chief Justice of India and, where warranted, inquiry by a committee of judges. There is no statutory requirement for public reporting of outcomes.
