Former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran on Monday moved the Supreme Court alleging that the Pinarayi Vijayan government had violated a Supreme Court ban by permitting bar hotels existing across highways to continue with their business.
On December 15 last year, the Supreme Court had issued a nationwide ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of National and State Highways as an antidote to fatal road accidents caused by drunk driving.
However, in a recent opinion, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi interpreted the verdict as only confined to retail liquor outlets and not bars, pubs or restaurants. Mr. Rohatgi was approached by the Kerala government for his opinion as the court deadline for the ban - April 1, 2017 – was fast-approaching.
In his application seeking permission to intervene in a host of pending petitions on the December 15 verdict, Mr. Sudheeran submitted that the Kerala government had a liquor policy of shrinking liquor consumption by reducing its availability.
Mr. Sudheeram, represented by advocate Suvidutt M.S., said the policy to reduce the number of bar hotels as well as the retail outlets of liquor was upheld by both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court.
Mr. Sudheeran issued legal notice to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, State Chief Secretary and the State Police Chief on March 17, 2017.
He warned that the “different stand” of the Kerala government is “expected to take the form of an executive order very soon”.
“It is humbly submitted that the existing liquor licences will expire on 31.03.2017. The present mood is to renew the licences to bar hotels, beer parlours across the highways. Such a situation will be in violation of the December 15 judgment of this court,” Mr. Sudheeran said.
