Alcohol license not required in TN: HC

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a contempt case while observing that alcohol licence is not required in Tamil Nadu as there is no state-wide prohibition in TN.

In the contempt case it was alleged that there was a failure to comply with a court ruling that suggested the introduction of ‘alcohol licence’ in Tamil Nadu. After being informed that there was no state-wide prohibition in Tamil Nadu and thus alcohol license cannot be introduced in TN, the bench closed the petition brought in by KK Ramesh of Madurai.

Earlier the petition was brought about by the petitioner because of a failure to follow a January order where the court recommended having an ‘alcohol licence’ mandatory for purchasing alcohol in the ruling.

In another development, the first bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice PD Audikesavalu, overturned a single judge's decision to shut down all bars connected to Tasmac-operated liquor retail outlets. A rule requiring landlords to give their NOC before participating in the competition to award licences to operate bars was also annulled.