Reviewed case brief
State of Punjab v Nestle India Ltd.
(2004) 6 SCC 465
## Summary
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Year
- 2004
- Subjects
- Administrative Law
- Reviewed
- 2026-07-20
Rule established
The doctrine of promissory estoppel can be invoked against the government where it has made a clear and unambiguous promise or representation, and a party has acted upon it to its detriment; however, the government can resile from such a promise where overriding public interest requires it, and the burden of establishing that overriding public interest lies on the government seeking to resile.
Facts
Issues
Held
Ratio decidendi
How to use it in an exam
Editorial source
(2004) 6 SCC 465; standard casebook authority on promissory estoppel against government and the public interest exception, cross-verify citation before exam use
Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.