Published By : Prameya News Bureau | May 15, 2020 IST
Share
New Delhi, May 15 : The Supreme Court on Friday imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on a petitioner seeking a direction to the Centre and states to shut down liquor shops, as it is not possible for the shopowners to maintain social distancing. The petitoner insisted that people are blatantly violating social distancing norms while standing in long queues outside the liquor shops. A bench comprising Justice L. Nageswara Rao, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice B.R. Gavai observed that multiple petitions raising similar issues have been filed by the petitioners merely for the sake of publicity. The bench emphasized that it is not possible to entertain such petitions and while dismissing the PIL said that such frivolous petitions cannot be allowed under Article 32 of the Constitution. "We cannot have multiple petitions like this. They are all publicity-oriented. We will impose cost", said the court. The top court told the petitoner that it is for the Centre to address violation of social distancing, if people overcrowed outside liquor shops.The bench imposed a cost of Rs one lakh on the petitioner. The court observed such petitions stemmed from 'lack of work'. The petitoner insisted that it is essential to close down liquor shops amid the lockdown stating it would increase the risk of spread of the contagion. Several state governments have been on the fence on the addressing the issue related to the re-opening of liquor shops. Maharashtra soon revoked its order of re-opening liquor shops after overcrowding was reported outside many liquor vends, as people gathered flouting social distancing norms. Some states have now resorted to the online sale of liquor, for example Delhi has introduced an e-token system under which specific time period is alloted to customers to purchase alcohol, a measure which government said would address the violation of social distancing norms. (IANS)
News7 Is Now On WhatsApp Join And Get Latest News Updates Delivered To You Via WhatsApp
You Might Also Like
More From Related News
BJP Core Committee meeting begins in Delhi: Likely to announce candidates for Odisha Assembly segments
Kharge hits back at PM Modi's 'bullying a Cong culture' remark
Mukhtar Ansari dies of cardiac arrest in Banda, security tightened in UP
Lawyers write to CJI over group trying to ‘pressurise judiciary’
Delhi horror: 5-year-old kidnapped, raped & killed; accused held
LS polls: 2.54 crore voters for Phase 1 in Rajasthan; 13 above 120 years of age
Big shock for BRS as Hyderabad Mayor decides to join Congress
Nominations for 2nd phase begins in 13 Raj Seats
Government hikes wages of MGNREGA job card holders
NITA Football Academy emerges victorious in IWL-2 encounter
Arunachal was, is, and will remain an integral part of India: MEA
Govinda joins Shiv Sena in CM Shinde's presence; may be fielded from Mumbai North West
‘To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture', says PM Modi on lawyers’ letter to CJI
Jhunjhunu LS constituency tops charts with highest centenarian women voters in Rajasthan
Excise policy case: Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1
Heatwave conditions in Gujarat as several cities record around 40 degrees temperature
Sensex crosses 74K mark in 1000 points rally
Political conspiracy, claims Kejriwal while being taken to Rouse Avenue Court
Ladakh agitation intensifies as protesters threaten march to border with China
CM Kejriwal to be produced before Delhi court today as 6-day ED custody ends