The Kerala High Court on Tuesday approved the state government's decision to allow only five-star hotels to operate bars in the state.
The court reportedly dismissed appeals filed by owners of two, three, and unclassified bars and cancelled a single bench judgment permitting opening of four-star bars.
It also stated that sale or consumption of liquor does not impinge on fundamental right of citizens and that the state government has all the right to frame its liquor policy.
Kerala's Excise Minister K Babu welcomed the court's judgment, saying the government wants to make the state liquor-free.
"The state government wants the state to be liquor-free, I am sure society will support this policy," he said.
The state would now be left with only 24 five-star bars. Beer and wine parlours, however, would continue.
