HC directs closure of liquor shop

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed Tamil Nadu government to immediately shut down a state run liquor shop, located in a commercial building and near a bus shelter used by school children, observing that the "future and safety of children are more important than TASMAC earning revenue out of selling liquor".

Allowing a petition by Golden Enclave Owners Association for a direction to Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd (TASMAC) to close its liquor shop-cum-bar situated in the basement of the enclave in the city, Justice K Chandru said closing one shop would not bring about any loss to the state especially when its turn-over from liquor sales had already crossed Rs 16,500 crore per annum.

The Judge said the state was running liquor shops despite the Tamil Nadu Prohibitionh Act and Article 47 of the Constitution by which the state had endeavoured "to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health".

He said keeping the interest of minor children studying in five schools in the vicinity of the liquor shop and the day-to-day hazards of going to the nearby bus stand, among other thing, the court was obliged to close down the shop.

Submitting that the premises was not suited either for running a liquor shop with or without a bar, the petitioner said the commercial complex, housed about 40 offices and shops, employing over 200 women alone.

Besides, there was a dance school on the second floor teaching traditional dances.

The petitioner said there was also a risk of a fire breaking out as eatables were being prepared in the basement of the building.