The decision of the Pune district administration to initially impose a 10-day liquor ban during the Ganesh festival has been curtailed to just two days, following interventions by the Bombay High Court. This change came after the case of Janardhan G Thorat And Ors. v. Collector of Pune & Anr. was brought before the court.
During the court proceedings, Additional Government Pleader KB Dighe informed the judges that September 25 would be declared a ‘dry day’. Additionally, the prohibition on retail liquor sales would only be in effect until 4 PM on September 14. The revision came after a division bench consisting of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Mahendra Sethna criticized the initial blanket prohibition covering the entire festival period.
Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi questioned the rationale behind implementing such an extensive ban exclusively in Pune, highlighting the potential adverse health impacts of an abrupt alcohol ban on habitual consumers, which could lead to unforeseen medical emergencies.
The plea challenging the 10-day prohibition was filed by the National Restaurant Association of India along with retail liquor associations. The petitioners were represented by Advocates Veena Thadhani and Rutuja Gaikwad for the retail liquor shop owners, and Advocates Karl Thamboly, Sameer Pandit, Krina Gandhi, and Chintan Pasad, briefed by Wadia Ghandy & Co., for the restaurants association.
In response to the court’s intervention and subsequent revision by the local administration, the Bombay High Court decided to dispose of the plea. Government pleaders Neha Bhide, KB Dighe, and PJ Gavhane represented the Pune administration in court.
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The court’s decision underscores the importance of balancing cultural observances with public health considerations and the rights of business owners, a point emphasized during the proceedings.
