Karnataka HC upholds dry day order; bars can sell food | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: In response to a writ petition, the Karnataka High Court, on Friday, upheld the prohibition of alcohol sale in polling areas from 4 pm for 48 hours, starting from June 1, and from 6 am to midnight on June 6.
Biennial elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council from three graduates’ and three teachers’ constituencies are scheduled to be held on June 3, with results declared on June 6.Bengaluru graduate constituency covers BBMP, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru rural and Ramnagar districts and Karnataka south east teachers constituency covers Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Davanagere(Harihara, Davangere and Jagaluru taluks only) districts.
Hoteliers in the city had petitioned the court to quash the orders dated May 15 and 17, which prohibited the sale of liquor on those days in anticipation of the upcoming elections to the legislative council.
Petitioners argued that while the returning officer had initially restricted the sale of liquor on polling and counting dates, state authorities began the prohibition 48 hours prior to polling, in addition to the 12 hours on the day of counting.
Although the returning officer limited the sale of liquor on polling day, an affidavit filed stated that the term ‘polling date’ should be interpreted as per Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandates the sale of liquor 48 hours before polling.
Under state excise rules, the district magistrate is authorized to close any establishment selling or supplying liquor to ensure peaceful, fair, and free elections.
Justice Hemant Chandangoudar dismissed the hoteliers’ petition and directed the police commissioner and District Collector (DC) not to prevent petitioners and similarly situated individuals from serving food in bars and restaurants.
The upholding of the liquor ban comes amid hoteliers’ concerns about continued costs—rent, workers’ salaries, among others, and curbed revenue that could have arisen from tourism and foreign tourists.
Biennial elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council from three graduates’ and three teachers’ constituencies are scheduled to be held on June 3, with results declared on June 6.Bengaluru graduate constituency covers BBMP, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru rural and Ramnagar districts and Karnataka south east teachers constituency covers Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Davanagere(Harihara, Davangere and Jagaluru taluks only) districts.
Hoteliers in the city had petitioned the court to quash the orders dated May 15 and 17, which prohibited the sale of liquor on those days in anticipation of the upcoming elections to the legislative council.
Petitioners argued that while the returning officer had initially restricted the sale of liquor on polling and counting dates, state authorities began the prohibition 48 hours prior to polling, in addition to the 12 hours on the day of counting.
Although the returning officer limited the sale of liquor on polling day, an affidavit filed stated that the term ‘polling date’ should be interpreted as per Section 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandates the sale of liquor 48 hours before polling.
Under state excise rules, the district magistrate is authorized to close any establishment selling or supplying liquor to ensure peaceful, fair, and free elections.
Justice Hemant Chandangoudar dismissed the hoteliers’ petition and directed the police commissioner and District Collector (DC) not to prevent petitioners and similarly situated individuals from serving food in bars and restaurants.
The upholding of the liquor ban comes amid hoteliers’ concerns about continued costs—rent, workers’ salaries, among others, and curbed revenue that could have arisen from tourism and foreign tourists.
