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News Topical, Digital Desk : In a major decision regarding the liquor shops operating along the national and state highways in Rajasthan, the High Court has ordered the removal of these liquor shops within two months.
The division bench of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjeet Purohit, while ordering the removal of all liquor shops operating within 500 meters of the highway, said that the government has made the highway a 'liquor-friendly corridor' under the guise of municipal area, which will no longer be tolerated.
The court clarified that even if these contracts fall within municipal or city limits, if they are located on a highway, they must be removed. This decision was made in light of the increasing number of road accidents and drink-and-drive cases in the state.
According to the state government, 1,102 of the 7,665 liquor shops in the state are located on national and state highways. The court remarked that the government had made a mockery of the Supreme Court's orders under the guise of "municipal jurisdiction."
During the hearing, the state government presented its case, admitting that there are a total of 7,665 liquor shops in the state. It also stated that these 1,102 shops generate a substantial annual revenue of approximately ₹2,221.78 crore for the state.
The High Court rejected the government's argument outright, stating that the Supreme Court's order had been made a mockery of. The court stated that the protection of life is paramount under Article 21.
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