Supreme Court Bans Liquor Sale on Highways Across the Country

The SC has said that the liquor shops can operate till their licences expire.

(Photo: iStock)

After making known its concern about the 1.5 lakh fatalities every year caused by road mishaps, a Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur has on Thursday directed that liquor be banned on all state and national highways.

The apex court has said in its order that all the licenses of liquor shops in and around highways would be suspended.

The court, however, said that the liquor shops can operate as long their as licenses are valid. No renewal of licences will be done after 31 March 2017.

The three-judge bench also directed that all sign boards indicating presence of liquor will be prohibited on highways.

The SC came down heavily on the Punjab government for seeking relaxation and permitting liquor shops near highways. (Photo: Reuters)

The apex court came down heavily on the Punjab government for seeking relaxation and permitting liquor shops near highways if they are “elevated” ones and there are shops under or near it.

Look at the number of licences you (Punjab) have given. Because the liquor lobby is so powerful, everyone is happy. The excise department is happy, the excise minister is happy and the state government is also happy that they are making money. If a person dies due to this, you give Rs 1 or 1.5 lakh. That is it. You should take a stand which is helpful for the society.

SC bench

“Revenue Generation Can't Be a Valid Reason For Liquor Sale Near Highways”

Reminding the state government of its constitutional obligation to prohibit liquor sale, the bench had asked the state to do something for the general public considering that nearly 1.5 lakh people were dying every year.

The bench had also expressed unhappiness over alleged inaction by various states in removing liquor shops alongside roads which give rise to drunken driving and consequential fatalities.

It had said that revenue generation cannot be a "valid reason" for a state or a Union territory to give licence for liquor shops on highways and the authorities should adopt a positive attitude to remove the menace.

(With inputs from PTI)