Bombay High Court Deprecates Maharashtra's 12-Day 'Blanket Ban' On Alcohol During Ganesh Chaturthi, Calls It Irrational
If someone drinks and shows enthusiasm during festival, you can't say they will create law and order problem, Court remarked.
The Bombay High Court on Friday deprecated the decision of the Maharashtra Government to impose a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol, particularly in the Pune, during the 12 days of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna said that if alcohol is banned for so many days, hospitals will get "flooded" as regular...
The Bombay High Court on Friday deprecated the decision of the Maharashtra Government to impose a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol, particularly in the Pune, during the 12 days of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna said that if alcohol is banned for so many days, hospitals will get "flooded" as regular and habitual drinkers may suffer serious health issues.
“I deprecate such practice of imposing blanket bans... We understand that your intention is to maintain law and order during the festival but it is not as if everyone who drinks will create a law and order situation...,” the CJ orally remarked.
The judge at the same time clarified that anyone, be it one who has consumed alcohol or not, if creates any situation, they will "face the music".
CJ further said that if such blanket orders are passed, there will be huge crowd in hospitals.
“The ones who are habitual, they will get serious medical issues... Hospitals will be flooding... Blanket orders without any rational cannot be allowed... You cannot say everyone who drinks will create a law and order situation... If during festival someone drinks, shows enthusiasm etc you cannot say they will create some law and order scene on the streets... It is a festival let people celebrate... I deprecate such blanket orders...,” CJ said.
The Court also took note of the fact that the "alcohol ban" for 12 days is passed only for Pune District.
“We seriously do not appreciate this... what message are you trying to give against a particular city? Now go and seek proper instructions or else we will pass appropriate orders,” the Court said.
The matter will be taken up again at 3 PM.
Title: National Restaurant Association of India vs Collector of Pune (Writ Petition 12053 of 2026)