Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the Secretary, state Public Works Department (road), and the state excise commissioner to hear representation of shops, establishments and beer bar owners who are barred from selling liquor within the 500 meter of state and national highways. The court directed secretary and commissioner to pass a reasoned order on representation of shop owners.
A division bench of Justice S.M. Kemkar and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing bunch of petitions filed by liquor shop owners, who claimed that their shop doesn’t fall under 500 meter of highway still their shops were forced to shut. Petition has alleged that even internal busy roads also considered by the state as a state highway. SC had recently passed an order prohibiting to sale of liquor along the state and national highways.
According to which, state excise department had sent notices to concerned liquor shops, establishment and beer bars.
On Monday, Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said state need not want to produce any notification for classification of highways.
