The Supreme Court has reiterated that its December 2016 ban on the sale of liquor within 500 metres of the outer edge of national and State highways will not extend to municipal areas.
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has recalled an apex court order of March 20, 2023. The March 2023 order had set aside a Madras High Court decision confirming the permission granted by the Puducherry Excise Department to a liquor retailer, represented by senior advocate P.B. Suresh, to shift his shop to ECR Main Road at Ganapathi Chettikulam from Kamaraj Salai in Pillathottam.
The residents’ society, Kanagachettikulam Makkal Podhunala Eyakkam, had moved the High Court against the shifting of the liquor shop, saying the establishment was hardly 150 metres from temples, mosques and educational institutions. The High Court dismissed the petition of the residents, who approached the apex court.
