PIL against liquor sale in military canteens, duty free shops

A PIL was filed in the Madras High Court praying for a direction to the government to stop sale of liquor at military canteens, duty free shops and hotels at airports situated along highways as per a Supreme Court order.

In his PIL, Sahul Hameed submitted that despite the apex court's order that no liquor vending shop should be within the specified distance of national and state highways, several military canteens and duty free were selling alcohol, defying the order.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar issued a notice to the authorities and posted the matter for further hearing to July 24.
 

He submitted that Prohibition and Excise Department, which is the licensing authority and police which has to implement the orders of the apex court were not taking any step to stop the sale of liquor on these premises.

Contending that the sales would amount to violation of the Supreme Court order, the petitioner prayed for a direction to the government and its agencies to implement the ban effectively.