Karnataka High Court quashes Dharwad District administration’s order restricting entry of Kadusiddes
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has set aside the Dharwad District Magistrate’s order that had barred Adrushya Kadusiddeshwara Swamiji of Kaneri Math, Kolhapur (Maharashtra), from entering Dharwad district until January 3, 2026.
The order, issued by the Dharwad Deputy Commissioner on November 4, was challenged by the Swamiji. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over a single-judge Bench, allowed the petition and struck down the prohibition.
The court observed that the district administration’s entry-ban order did not satisfy the constitutional and legal standards laid down by the Supreme Court. It noted that the restriction had been imposed merely on suspicion, without the government furnishing any concrete reasons.
The judge also recorded the undertaking made on behalf of the petitioner that the Swamiji would act responsibly and not violate any law. Accordingly, the court not only annulled the November 4 order but also invalidated all actions taken or likely to be taken under it.
Appearing for the Swamiji, advocate Venkatesh Dalavai argued that the government had issued the restriction under Section 163(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) without even issuing a show-cause notice. The programme scheduled in Dharwad had already concluded on November 7, he pointed out, questioning the rationale behind extending the ban until January 2026. He contended that the order lacked any valid or stated grounds, making it arbitrary and mala fide.
Counsel for the State submitted that the Deputy Commissioner had acted on a report from the Superintendent of Police. They claimed the Swamiji did not have adequate control over his speech, and that the restriction had been imposed as a precautionary step. The government argued that even the Supreme Court had not granted any relief earlier and maintained that the Swamiji’s actions were likely to disturb public sentiments.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
