Kerala’s ban on liquor is upheld

The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the Kerala government order barring public consumption of alcohol, other than in five-star hotel bars, saying there was “no illegality or irrationality” in it, confirming a Kerala high court ruling dismissing a slew of petitions by the Kerala Bar Hotels Association and others. A bench of Justices Vikramajit Sen and Shiva Kirti Singh said Tuesday: “Judicial review is justified only if the policy is arbitrary, unfair or violative of fundamental rights.”

This ruling is a shot in the arm for other states planning to introduce prohibition. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar wants to ban liquor from April 2016, and many in Tamil Nadu want the state’s TASMAC shops serving liquor shut.

The bench also expressed concern over the state issuing licences for consumption of beer and wine, saying this was the “gateway” towards addiction to alcohol.