The Bombay High Court has severely reprimanded the Pune municipal administration for imposing a 10-day blanket ban on the sale of liquor across the city during the ongoing Ganesh Utsav festival, directing officials to withdraw the order immediately.
The verdict came from a division bench comprising Chief Justice M.C. Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, which heard a public interest litigation challenging the legality and rationale of the prohibition.
During the proceedings, the court raised serious concerns about the human cost of the ban, particularly for individuals struggling with alcohol dependency. The judges noted that a sudden denial of access to alcohol for a continuous period of ten days could trigger severe withdrawal symptoms in addicted individuals, potentially forcing them to seek emergency medical treatment and overwhelming local hospital facilities.
The bench also expressed deep skepticism about why Pune alone was singled out for such a restrictive measure when no similar prohibition had been imposed on other cities in Maharashtra during the same festive period. "We condemn such a practice. It is a stain on the residents of Pune," the court stated firmly during the hearing.
Legal experts observing the case noted that while the state government retains broad authority under the Excise Act to regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, any such restriction must be reasonable, non-arbitrary, and proportionate. Imposing a blanket ban on an entire city without comparable measures elsewhere could potentially violate constitutional protections around personal liberty and equal treatment before law.
Following the court's directive, the Pune municipal administration has agreed to withdraw the 10-day liquor prohibition order that had sparked widespread debate among residents, hospitality industry owners, and rights advocates.
The Ganesh Utsav, one of India's most widely celebrated festivals, typically draws millions of devotees across Maharashtra over several days, with elaborate processions, cultural programs, and community gatherings marking each phase of the celebrations.
