A Kerala High Court division bench on Friday stayed for a month a previous directive ordering the closure of 250 two and three star bars in the state, thus providing relief to the owners.
The bench further stated that a detailed hearing on the matter would take place next week, after which a final decision would take place.
On Thursday, the court had allowed only four star and heritage hotels to serve liquor, apart from the five star hotels which had not come under the new policy passed by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The Kerala Bar Association had challenged this judgment, calling it discriminatory.
In August, Chandy cancelled the permits of bars across the state, adding that only five star hotels would be allowed to serve alcohol. This move prompted bar associations to file a PIL against the new policy.
