SC stays Rajasthan HC order for removal of liquor vends within 500 metres of national/state highways
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Rajasthan High Court's order directing the state to remove or relocate all liquor shops within a 500-metre limit from national or state highways due to a surge in fatal road accidents.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which issued notice on multiple pleas filed by liquor vendors and Rajasthan government, however, said that the high court's "concern was genuine" and the government may consider it while formulating its liquor policy in future.
"Issue notice. The effect and operation of the impugned order is stayed," the top court ordered.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, said that the apex court had earlier directed that there should not be any liquor vends within 500 metres of national and state highways, but a problem arose where these roads passed through the city.
"The order was later clarified that within municipal limits, there would not be any such ban on liquor shops," he said.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for liquor vends owners, said that the high court erred in passing the order without hearing the parties, and sought a stay on the directions.
He submitted that the high court was dealing with an issue pertaining to one village Sujangarh but went on to pass an order qua the entire state without even hearing other parties.
Justice Mehta said that the high court exercises jurisdiction throughout the state.
Rohatgi contended that the high court's view was contrary to the Supreme Court's direction that there was no such ban within municipal limits. "But the (HC) judge still says there will be a ban, irrespective of the apex court's direction," he said.
On November 24, 2025, the Jodhpur bench of the high court, taking note of the increasing number of accidents on the highways on account of alcohol consumption, directed the state to remove or relocate all liquor shops falling within the restricted limit of 500 metres from a national or state highway, within two months, irrespective of them falling under any municipal areas, local self-governing bodies or statutory development authorities.
It had also come down heavily upon the state for misusing the limited discretionary leverage granted by the apex court in granting permissions to liquor shops along the national and state highways.
The high court passed the order on a PIL filed in 2023 that highlighted a steep rise in the cases of drunken driving in Rajasthan.
It referred to the 2016 verdict of the apex court in the case of State of Tamil Nadu versus K Balu in which it was directed that no liquor shops shall be situated within 500 metres of the outer edge of a national or state highway.
However, in 2017, the apex court clarified that the order did not prohibit licensed liquor vends within the municipal areas and discretion was given to the state to determine whether the same principle should be extended to areas covered by local self-governing bodies and statutory development authorities.
The Rajasthan government has filed an affidavit in the high court stating that the state had permitted the operation of 1,102 liquor shops alongside national and state highways as they fall within municipal areas or local bodies and contribute Rs 2221.78 crore in revenue.
Taking note of the affidavit, the high court had said that the constitutional objective of safeguarding public life and safety cannot be subordinated to revenue considerations, and a careful balance must be struck wherein fiscal interests do not override the paramount requirement of protecting human life and ensuring road safety.
"This court expresses extreme concern regarding the manner in which the directions of the apex court have been diluted and the discretion granted to the state government has been misutilised.
"The admitted operation of 1102 liquor shops on national and state highways effectively nullifies the safety objective underlying the apex court's orders, as well as the road-safety considerations repeatedly emphasised by this court. Such deviation cannot be countenanced, particularly when the state is already witnessing alarming road-accident statistics," it had said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Hindu Ekta Sammelanams in Kerala mask sangh outreach through temple gatherings
Kochi: Temple premises in several parts of Kerala have been increasingly organizing programs calling for Hindu unity as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh celebrates its centenary year with outreach events across the country.
The News Minute reported that one such programme held on February 28 near Edappally in Kochi began with traditional performances, including chenda melam and a Thiruvathira dance at the Anjumana Devi temple ground, and transitioned into a “Hindu Ekta Sammelanam”. Organisers were quoted as saying that the objective of the event was “to bring together members of different Hindu communities by transcending caste, regional and linguistic differences.”
The RSS is celebrating its centenary year by nationwide series of conferences. These began on October 2, 2025. Reports indicate that more than one lakh such meetings are planned across India in 2026, with over 1,000 events scheduled in Kerala between February and March.
At the Edappally programme representatives of the Hindu Aikya Vedi and other spiritual leaders expressed their thoughts. Hindu Aikya Vedi state president R V Babu said the events are organised to strengthen a sense of unity among Hindus and encourage people to move beyond caste divisions.
Participants at the gathering included members of various organisations such as the Nair Service Society, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam and representatives of other community groups. Some attendees said they viewed the events primarily as religious or cultural programmes organised around temples in their localities.
Criticizing the gatherings, leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that temple premises are being used to advance a political agenda under the cover of religious and cultural programs. The party’s youth wing, the Democratic Youth Federation of India, has opposed some of the events at the local level, arguing that religious spaces should not become platforms for ideological mobilisation.
Some attendees clarified that they participated viewing the programmes as temple-based community events rather than political meetings. Others acknowledged that discussions during the sessions included references to electoral participation and broader social themes.
Similar objections were raised in Kozhikode district, where local CPI(M) workers opposed a gathering linked to a temple committee. He argued that religious spaces should not be used for political mobilization, when Kerala is expected to go to Assembly polls in 2026.
