Summary:
"However the state governments instead of recognizing the concern of the SC, have shown a narrow pedantic approach just for the sake of revenue. The matter has been fixed for December 4 for further hearing. The apex court verdict leave no ambiguity in stating that the ban on sale of liquor within a buffer distance is not only qua the liquor vends rather applies to all such places where liquor is sold/ served/ supplied within a vicinity of 500m of national or state highways," argued the petitioner.Petitioner told that in clear violation of the SC orders, the liquor vends in the state highways of the states of Punjab and Haryana could be seen. He also annexed a large number of photographs with the petition where the liquor vends/shops could be seen on the highways.According to the petitioner, the SC verdict has been misinterpreted to earn easy money without having any regard to innumerable road accidents that take place because of drunken driving. The petitioner has submitted that on December 15, 2016, while disposing of a bunch of petitions, the SC had directed that the states and UTs shall forthwith cease and desist from granting licences for the sale of liquor along national and state highways.It was also ordered that all signages regarding the availability of liquor shall be prohibited and existing ones removed forthwith both on national and state highways..