A bench comprising Chief Justice M. C. Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna had made it clear in the morning that the court would intervene if the administration did not withdraw what it described as an inappropriate and arbitrary order. The bench observed that imposing such a blanket ban unnecessarily tarnished the image of Pune and its residents.
During the subsequent hearing, Additional Government Pleader Kedar Dige informed the court that the liquor ban would now remain in force only until 4 pm on September 14, the first day of the festival, and on the final day of the festival, September 25, which is already a dry day. The court accepted the change and directed the Pune District Collector to immediately issue a revised order in this regard.
The Pune District Collector had earlier issued an order prohibiting the sale of liquor throughout the 10-day Ganeshotsav celebrations. Hotel operators and the Wine Shop Association had challenged the order before the Bombay High Court.
The court questioned the rationale behind selecting only Pune for such a restriction across Maharashtra. It observed that Pune is a highly cultured and educated city and questioned whether the administration intended to send a message that only people in Pune drink alcohol and engage in misconduct.
The bench made it clear that while maintaining law and order and preventing disturbances were important, an order could not impose a blanket 10-day shutdown on the businesses of legally licensed establishments. The court also observed that not every person who consumes alcohol necessarily creates a disturbance.
The bench further noted that such a complete prohibition would also result in significant revenue loss for the State Excise Department.
Following the court’s decision, hotel operators and liquor sellers in Pune have received major relief, with the revised orders now being implemented.
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