High Court stays notice prohibiting Pune clubs from selling liquor

The Bombay High Court today granted an interim stay on a notice issued by Maharashtra government prohibiting three clubs and a shop in Pune from selling liquor, as they are within 500 metres of highway.

A division bench of Justices S M Kemkar and M S Sonak was hearing the petitions, filed by Bramhacorp Club, Poona Club, Ladies Club and Dorabjee shop, challenging a May 18 notice issued to them by the state excise department directing them to stop sale of liquor.

The notice was issued in compliance with an order passed by the Supreme Court last year directing all liquor shops falling within 500 metres from national and state highways to be shut.

Senior counsel Prasad Dhakepalkar, appearing for the petitioners, told the high court today that the clubs and the shop are located on Pune's Bund Road, which is not close to any highway.

The high court stayed the notice and ordered desealing of the clubs and shop.

The government, however, told the HC that Bund Road is a state highway.

"Do you (government) have any notification or official document which specifies this claim that Bund Road is a highway?" Justice Kemkar asked.

The court directed the government to file an affidavit by June 22.