: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought to know what action has been taken by the AAP government against pubs and restaurants near Hauz Khas village which serve liquor without licence.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice G.Rohini also asked the police and the municipal corporation whether these places are still in operation.
The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on February 14 when it will also hear another PIL seeking action against unauthorised constructions in south Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village area and its restaurants allegedly operating without necessary licences.
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No NOC
The order of the court came on a plea by advocate Anuja Kapur, who said that such pubs and bars do not have a no objection certificate (NOC) from the authorities concerned, leading to violation of the law.
She alleged that the police have turned a blind eye to all such violations and since they are never seen in the area, pub owners continue with the illegalities.
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While seeking direction to impose a complete ban on such pubs and bars, the plea alleged that their owners are running in connivance with the local police.
No action taken
The petitioner said she had written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and senior police officials but no action had been taken against the violators.
In another petition before a different Bench, the restaurant owners have sought direction from the government that they be granted licence to buy liquor.
‘Withholding licences’
They have alleged that the government has withheld their licences on the ground that the liquor shops in Delhi had reached a saturation point.