SC to hear appeal today

15/05/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday via video-conferencing an appeal filed by the State government against a Madras High Court order of May 8 to close liquor shops in the State, with immediate effect, to enforce physical distancing till the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted or modified.

A Bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao, S.K. Kaul and B.R. Gavai will hear the State’s contention that an indefinite closure of liquor shops would lead to “grave” revenue and commercial losses. The State has accused the High Court of judicial overreach while highlighting that the ban order was passed the very same day the Supreme Court dismissed an identical call to close liquor shops across the country.

Another petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the High Court order allowing online sale of liquor, saying the judicial direction was against public safety.