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The observations were made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by K. Balu of the Advocates Forum for Social Justice
The Madras High Court, on Friday last week, expressed concerns regarding a Government Order (G.O.) dated April 24, 2023, which granted a special license for the possession and service of liquor to guests attending national/international events at venues such as conference halls, convention centers, or stadiums.
The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy raised apprehensions that the ambiguity in the G.O. could lead to potential misuse.
The court articulated the fear that organizations, irrespective of their nature, could exploit the G.O. by hosting liquor parties under the guise of organizing national or international conferences.
The bench emphasized the risk of indirect liquor sales, where organizations might sell event tickets at a premium in exchange for complimentary liquor bottles. Consequently, it urged the government to assess the potential misuse of the special license.
These observations were made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by K. Balu of the Advocates Forum for Social Justice, who challenged the G.O. on the grounds that it could result in chaos with liquor parties becoming common in every neighborhood.
In response to the PIL, Advocate General R. Shunmugasundaram defended the G.O., asserting that its intention was solely to facilitate the serving of liquor to diplomats and other international delegates visiting the state for trade meetings and similar events. He clarified that while the G.O. allowed serving liquor in stadiums, it would be restricted to closed enclosures where dignitaries are accommodated, excluding open areas where spectators watch matches.
The court acknowledged the need for providing hospitality to diplomats and foreign dignitaries attending international events, concurring with the Advocate General. However, the bench urged him to consider the potential misinterpretation or misuse of the order and directed him to file a response by December 14, 2023.
Case Title: K.Balu V. The Additional Chief Secretary And 3 Others And Connected Matters
[Inputs: The Hindu]
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