Court Questions Ganeshotsav Liquor Ban In Pune, Finds No Law-And-Order Link
Court questions the basis for Pune’s Ganeshotsav liquor restrictions.
The Bombay High Court has questioned the rationale behind a 12-day liquor ban imposed in Pune district during the Ganeshotsav festival, asking why such restrictions were being applied specifically to the city. The court observed that consuming alcohol does not automatically mean a person will create a law-and-order problem and criticised the blanket nature of the order.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna made the remarks while hearing a matter concerning the restrictions. The court said that such an order should have a logical basis and asked the Maharashtra government to explain its position. The state's lawyer was directed to seek appropriate instructions from the government.
The bench also raised concerns about the possible health consequences for habitual drinkers who are suddenly unable to access alcohol. Chief Justice Tripathi reportedly remarked that such people could develop serious medical problems and that hospitals could potentially see an increase in admissions. The observation came while the court was examining the justification for imposing the restrictions during the festival.
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The Chief Justice further questioned the assumption that people consuming alcohol during a festival would necessarily create a law-and-order situation. He said that if someone drinks and celebrates during the festival, it cannot automatically be presumed that the person will cause trouble on the streets. The court expressed disapproval of what it described as a blanket restriction.
The bench also specifically questioned why the liquor ban had been imposed only in Pune, asking what message such a decision was intended to convey about the city. The court's remarks came ahead of Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 14 this year and is widely celebrated across Maharashtra, including through large public gatherings and processions.
The Pune District Collector had announced dry days and restrictions on liquor sales from September 14 to September 26, citing public safety and law-enforcement considerations during the Hindu festival. The Maharashtra government's response to the court's observations is expected to clarify the reasoning behind the restrictions and whether the order will remain in force as announced.
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