Supreme Court Stays Rajasthan High Court Order Directing Removal of Liquor Shops Along Highways

The Supreme Court stayed a Rajasthan High Court order directing the removal or relocation of all liquor shops located within 500 metres of National and State Highways across the State.

The Court noted that while road safety concerns were genuine, the High Court could not ignore the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling exempting liquor vends situated within municipal limits from the highway ban.

It observed that the High Court order, arising from a local dispute, had resulted in a sweeping State-wide direction without hearing all affected parties.

The matter will be examined further after notice.

[Raja Ram v. State of Rajasthan]