Madhya Pradesh HC seeks govt response on liquor shops open at prohibited places

INDORE: Indore bench of MP high court issued notice to state government in a public interest litigation against liquor shops operational in vicinity of educational, religious, health institutions in violation of norms.
The division bench of Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice PC Gupta sought response from state government within six weeks on the PIL filed by Maatr Foundation through counsel Amay Bajaj challenging state excise policy for 2023-24.
The petitioner submitted that there is an abundance of shops opened in prohibited areas like nearby educational, religious, health institutions and residential complex violating fundamental rights.
There is an increase in various crimes against women and children due to unmeasured and uncontrolled sale of intoxicants and unlawful assembly at such liquor shops, and illegal sale of intoxicants to the under-age people is prevalent in the state in violation of norms, petitioner submitted.
The inaction and lack of knowledge of respondents on the subject matter, non-obedience of directive principles of state policy by the respondents as per Article 47 of The Constitution of India, accidents/deaths due to drunk driving, violation of provisions of M.P. Excise Act, 1915 and other laws and rules of the land led to filing of this petition, petitioner submitted seeking courts attention to this issue.
The court after hearing arguments issued notices to respondents seeking their response and directed to list the matter on December 22. The petitioner made the state of MP, excise department, collector Indore, and Ministry of road transport and highway respondent in the PIL.