Kerala HC allows 22 bars in 4-star category to operate

Now, liquor will be only available in eight heritage and 55 four star hotels besides 21 five-star hotels in the state

The Kerala high court today directed the state government to issue licences to 22 bar hotels in the four-star category. This includes some hotels in the list of 418 bar hotels, which were closed earlier and those which had applied for licences afresh.

A single bench of the court had directed the government to open 10 bars in the four-star category in October. Today, it allowed 22 more.

Partially upholding the new Abkari policy of the state government, the high court had directed closure of all the bars in the two-and three-star categories in its order in October.  It allowed these under 4-star  and bars that come under Heritage categories.

Now, liquor will be available only in eight heritage and  55 four-star hotels besides 21 five-star hotels in the state. The Abkari policy allows bars only in the 5-star category.

Justice K Surendra Mohan gave the verdict on a plea of the Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association.