Maharashtra’s liquor shop association alleges harassment

On 10th June, the Gujarat High Court will hear a petition moved by the Association of Progressive Retail Liquor Vendors, a liquor vendors’ association of Maharashtra. The association alleges that Gujarat state authorities have been illegally involving liquor shop owners and liquor licence holders in Maharashtra as accused in cases under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

This, according to the association, has led to arrests of liquor shop owners in Maharashtra without proper investigation. The petition alleges that these victimised liquor shop owners and liquor license holders from Maharashtra are being made accused based on statements by persons arrested in the illegal transportation of liquor to Gujarat.

The petition has appealed that the Gujarat High Court instruct the Gujarat government to not take coercive steps against these allegedly victimised liquor shop owners and liquor licence holders of Maharashtra and also to direct the Gujarat authorities to frame rules to prevent harassment caused to liquor shop owners in Maharashtra.