Sheikh Saleem
Srinagar, October 14: High court on Wednesday sought list of liquor shops operating along the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar asked the government to provide the detailed list to the court indicating the liquor shops operating along the highway.
Earlier, the government had informed the Court that no permission was issued to any person to operate liquor shops on the highway in the state.
In a written reply submitted before the court, Advocate General Jahangir Iqbal said the shops selling liquor have already been told to relocate.
He said liquor shops cannot operate near schools and religious institutions. However, he said the total prohibition is not possible.
Court after perusal of the report of the Excise Commissioner had observed that timing about opening and closing has not been given and location of shops near hospitals has also not been stated.
The court is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ghulam Rasool Hami, patron Karwani-e-Islami, a religious organization, seeking ban on sale and consumption of liquor in the State.
The petitioner has pleaded that consumption and sale of liquor has not only affected the health of the citizens but is also responsible for prevailing of various social evils and disorder in the society.