Politics · India Bureau
Madras High Court flags liquor sales near educational institutions
A bench hearing a case involving a college student's alcohol consumption at a hotel bar has sought clarity on whether regulations exist to restrict liquor sales in establishments located close to schools and colleges.
LSN India ·
The Madras High Court has raised concerns about the proximity of liquor-serving bars and clubs to educational institutions, directing the state's Prohibition and Excise Commissioner to clarify existing regulatory frameworks on the matter.
Justice N. Ramesh expressed alarm after learning that a 19-year-old college student had consumed alcohol at a bar attached to a hotel that was reportedly managed by the college itself. The incident prompted the judge to question whether any preventive measures are in place to restrict alcohol sales at such venues located near educational campuses.
During the hearing, the bench sought to understand the current policy landscape governing liquor licensing and sales within proximity to educational establishments across Tamil Nadu. The court's intervention underscores growing judicial concern over the easy accessibility of alcohol to young people in educational settings.
The matter highlights broader questions about regulatory oversight in the hospitality sector and enforcement of existing liquor laws near institutions of higher learning. The court's directive is expected to prompt a comprehensive review of licensing practices and their compliance with distance-based restrictions from educational institutions.