Summary:
The petitioners had claimed that prohibition on liquor consumption in private space is against the right to privacy and equality. The petitioners also submitted before the court that the prohibition law violates the petitioners' Right to Privacy, Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. They have also cited the adverse impact of liquor prohibition in Gujarat—a pendency of 3.99 lakh cases till February 2017 and the hooch tragedies taking place one after the other. The Gujarat High Court on Friday directed the state government to clarify stand on its prohibition policy on February 11 after five fresh petitions, including a public interest litigation, demanding the freedom to consume alcohol at private places came up for hearing. During Friday's hearing, the bench clarified that it will first hear the arguments of the state government on the issue on February 11..