Highway liquor ban: Supreme Court to pronounce order on pleas against verdict today

The Supreme Court will pronounce its order on pleas for a relook at its verdict banning liquor vendors within 500 metres of national and state highways from April 1 on Friday with the top law officer saying the judgement needs rectification as the “budget of the states will go for a six”.

The state liquor association had stated in its plea that 500 metres is much higher and it should be reduced as the Apex court had banned liquor shops within 500 metre on state and National Highways.

Appearing for the liquor association, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that the 500 metres distance should be reduced.
The Supreme Court will hear on a batch of petitions seeking modification of its December 2016order banning liquor vends within 500 metres of state and national highways cross the country.

Also Read: Liquor vendors along highways: SC reserves order on pleas against ban

On March 23, the Tamil Nadu government had also moved the top court to extend the time for relocation of retail liquor shops along the highways till the expiry of their licence period i.e up to November 28, 2017.

Also Read: Liquor ban in 500 metre distance on NH: SC says life is more important than liquor

On January 18, the All Assam Indian Made Foreign Liquors Retailers’ Association had approached the apex court seeking modification of the judgement, saying it virtually banned liquor shops in the state as the definition of state highways in the local statute included all roads.