Rajasthan High Court Directs Removal of Liquor Shops Within 500 Meters of Highways

The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to remove all liquor shops operating within 500 meters of national and state highways, enforcing Supreme Court guidelines aimed at reducing drunk driving-related accidents.

The division bench also came down heavily upon the State for misusing the limited discretionary power granted under a Supreme Court precedent, by permitting as many as 1102 liquor shops along national and state highways, calling it a “mockery of the discretion conferred.”

The court ordered immediate compliance and directed that regular monitoring be undertaken to ensure no vends violate the distance restrictions near highways.

The matter has been listed for January 26, 2025.

[Kanhaiya Lal Soni & Anr. v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.]