Illegal Liquor Sales Beyond Permitted Hours Threaten Public Health And Safety: Rajasthan High Court Orders Surprise Inspections
Nupur Agrawal
2 Jun 2026 1:35 PM IST
The Rajasthan High Court took suo motu cognizance of the rampant liquor sales in Jodhpur, even after the statutorily prescribed hours. The Court opined that such unregulated after-hours liquor sales undermined the constitutional objectives under Articles 21 and 47 by affecting public health, road safety, women's and youth's safety, and maintenance of public order.
The division bench of Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Dr. Justice Nupur Bhati issued interim directions in relation to the issue, that included constitution of a special enforcement teams for surprise inspections.
The Court referred to a report in a local newspaper that mentioned a sting operation being conducted. It revealed the prevalence of continuing after-hours sale of liquor through concealed mechanisms like restricted-access windows and partially shuttered premises, and apparent regulatory failure of authorities in enforcing Excise laws.
The Court opened that trade in liquor was a privilege by the State subject to strict regulatory control. The State being a custodian of public interest was obligated to ensure that the conditions of license of trade in liquor, particularly the prescribed closing houses were not violated.
“The doctrine of parens patriae obligates the Courts to intervene when executive apathy or complicity threatens fundamental rights and the rule of law.”
“…systemic violations of liquor vending closing hours and the apparent regulatory failure in Jodhpur City, as they directly infringe upon the right to live with dignity and in a safe environment under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and undermine the State' obligation under Article 47 to protect public health.”
In this light, while issuing notices to respective authorities, the Court sought reports on various aspects including, action taken against erring licensees; steps taken/proposed for immediate removal of such unauthorized ways of after-hours liquor sales; existing mechanism for night-time monitoring and enforcement; steps proposed for prevention of such systemic violations.
Furthermore, the Court issued interim directions to be undertaken to handle the issue.
The Police Commissioner and the District Excise Officer have been directed to constitute special enforcement teams for conducting surprise inspections that shall be geo-tagged and videographed for ensuring transparency and accountability.
The State was also directed to examine the feasibility of implementation of certain technological safeguards like CCTV (night vision) cameras, digital billing & e-POS integration, photographic and timestamp-based closure verification protocol.
The Court further directed a report on liquor shops situated near sensitive public locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, residential colonies etc.
The matter has been listed on July 6, 2026.
Title: In RE: Systemic Violations of Liquor Closing Hours and Excise Regulations in Jodhpur City
