A single bench of the court comprising Justice Ujal Bhuyan modified the court's earlier order to close down all shops within a distance of 500 metres of educational and religious institutions and hospitals.
The court's order came following an appeal from the All Assam IMFL Retailers Association and other individuals.
Bhuyan in his order said those licensees existing as on March 13, 2000 will be entitled to reopen their shops while directing the chief secretary, and excise department to inform as to what steps they proposed against excise officials who had violated the law while granting licenses.
In case of licenses issued after March 13, 2000, the court will first examine the views of the high power committee set up by the government to look into the issue.
Arun Pathak, a bar owner outside which a girl was allegedly molested by a mob on G S road last month, had filed a case in the High Court against the order of closure of his shop while other bar owners were doing brisk business.
The next date of hearing has been fixed on September 10.