HC disposes PIL on permit system for liquor consumption

The Bombay High Court today disposed of a PIL seeking to scrap the permit system for consumption of Indian and Foreign Made Liquor in Maharashtra.
A bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka said it was a matter of policy decision for the state whether to continue permit system for consumption of liquor and it would not issue any writ of mandamus to the government in this regard.
The judges asked petitioner Ketan Tirodkar, an activist, to make a representation to the state and directed the government to decide it on merits.
According to the PIL, the law stipulates that only a person having a permit can be served liquor in permit rooms. It alleged that most of the people do not have permits, but they get drinks on placing order because records are fabricated.

The hotels and restaurants, in connivance with Excise department, prepare permits in various names in advance and show that liquor has been served to them though the actual consumers may be different, the PIL alleged.
The high court refused to entertain the petition and asked Tirodkar to make a representation to the government which may decide on it.