SC order likely today on ban on liquor vends

New Delhi, March 30

The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce on Friday its order on petitions filed by various states and owners of hotels and restaurants seeking modification of its December 2016 order banning liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways from April 1.

After hearing the matter at length today, a Bench of Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and Justices DY Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao chose not to dictate the order. But the matter is listed for order on Friday. Around a dozen states, including Punjab, have sought modification in the order.

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The Bench sought to emphasise that the ban was imposed in the “interest of  public health”. As Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and senior lawyers contended it was hurting the revenue of states, Justice Chandrachud said: “We have not tested the excise policy. You have no freedom to drink and drive on the national highway.” — TNS