The Supreme Court on Friday while hearing a petition asked the state governments to consider non direct sale including on-line sale/ home delivery of liquor to facilitate social distancing.
A Public interest litigation under article 32 of the constitution of India was filed before the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the government decision to allow liquor shops to sell liquor as the same was detrimental to the health of common man because it increased the risk of spreading of COVID-19.
The petitioner also sought directions for prohibition of sale of liquor at shops till the country is declared COVID-19 free by the Central Government. With the announcement of nationwide lockdown in view of outbreak of pandemic, the sale of liquor was also banned by the Centre as a preventive measure to contain the spread of novel corona virus. However, the states across country were facing huge revenue scarcity and not having money to pay salary to government employees, thus the Central government from May 4th allowed the sale of liquor.
Acting upon the plea, the bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul & Justice B R Gavai, observed that it is not inclined to entertain this petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India and states must consider different viable options for sale of liquor.
The Supreme Court while dismissing the PIL said that it shall be open for the concerned State Government to consider non-direct sale including on-line sale/home delivery of liquor to facilitate social distancing.
-India Legal Bureau