Why only in Pune? Bombay High Court questions 10-day liquor ban during Ganeshotsav
The Bombay High Court on Friday pulled up the Pune administration over its order banning alcohol for the 10-day Ganesh festival, questioning why Pune alone had been singled out while other places, including Mumbai, were not covered by a similar restriction. After the court’s intervention, the authorities limited the prohibition to two days.
A bench of Chief Justice MC Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna said it would step in if the order was not withdrawn, describing such an arbitrary move as something that stigmatised Pune and its residents.
The court later accepted the state’s statement that the restriction on the sale and consumption of alcohol would now apply only till 4 pm on September 14, the first day of the festival, and on September 25, the last day, which is already a dry day.
The court directed that the Collector issue a fresh order reflecting this change. The matter had reached the High Court after associations of hotel owners and wine shop owners challenged the Pune Collector’s order that had prohibited the sale of alcohol for the entire 10-day festival.
During the hearing in the morning, the bench asked why prohibition had been imposed only in Pune, which it called the most “civilised and educated city”.
“What is the rationale behind choosing only Pune? We deprecate such practice. This is a stigma on Pune residents. What are you trying to portray that only people in Pune behave badly after drinking? One district you are choosing across the state,” the court remarked.
The bench asked the government lawyer to inform it whether the order would be withdrawn. It said that while the authorities may need to maintain law and order and prevent nuisance, they cannot pass a blanket order stopping licence holders from carrying on their trade for 10 days. The judges also said, in a lighter vein, that such a prohibition could create medical issues for habitual drinkers.
“They will flood hospitals if they don't get to drink for 10 days,” Chief Justice Tripathi quipped, adding that a blanket prohibition would also lead to revenue loss for the state excise department.
The court also said it cannot be assumed that every person who consumes alcohol would create a nuisance or a law and order problem. The case ended with the state limiting the alcohol ban in Pune to the first and last days of the Ganesh festival, instead of the full 10-day period originally ordered.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 11, 2026 20:24 IST
