Supreme Court Confirms Pan-India Validity Of Exemption To Liquor Stores On Highways Within Municipal Limits

The Supreme Court of India today (13 November) said its order exempting the ban onliquor shops within 500 metres of state and national highways running through municipal areas would be applicable across the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said it would pass a classificatory order on the plea of Tamil Nadu government, which was asked by the Madras High Court to approach the apex court for clarification on the issue.

The apex court, which had banned the sale of liquor within 500 meters of highways across the country, had on 11 July this year, relaxed the scope of its verdict and allowed liquor shops alongside highways in municipal areas on a petition filed with regard to Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The Madras High Court, taking note of the Tamil Nadu government's recent decision to allow liquor shops on highways in municipal areas, said the apex court's relaxation might be confined to Chandigarh alone and asked the state government to seek clarification from the top court.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tamil Nadu, said the 11 July order was clear. However, a clarification was needed.

"Well, why should the High Court think that? If our order applies for municipal areas in Chandigarh, it will apply equally for municipal areas across the country," the bench said and posted the matter after two weeks for hearing and passing a requisite classificatory order.

The apex court had earlier clarified that its order banning sale of liquor within a distance of 500 metres along national and state highways would not extend to municipal areas.

The top court, on 15 December, 2016, had banned sale of liquor within 500 metres of state and national highways across the country. PTI

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