New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Friday disposed off a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking ban on sale of liquor and said that states should “consider online sale or home delivery” of liquor to ensure that crowds are not gathered at alcohol shops across the country.
A three judge bench, comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and BR Gavai, heard the petition via video conferencing and said that the apex court will not interfere as it has to be a policy decision.
“We will not pass any order but the states should consider indirect sale or home delivery of liquor to maintain social distancing norms and standards,” said Justice Ashok Bhushan, as quoted by the Bar and Bench.
A petition was filed in the top court to ban the sale of the liquor, under the COVID-19 guidelines, as it is “affecting the life of the common man”.
The plea also urged the Supreme Court that government should be directed to ban sale of liquor through direct contact during lockdown and also till whenever it extends beyond May 17, 2020.
The top court, however, refused to ban the sale of the liquor. “Discussion on home delivery etc going on. What do you want us to do in Article 32 petition?,” said Justice Kaul, as quoted by the Bar and Bench.
Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer Deepak Sai told the bench that “no social distancing is being maintained and the shops catering to liquor demand is less and those who want is in large numbers”.
“I only want life of a common man should not be affected because of this during,” he said, as reported by the Bar and Bench.
The central government, while Extending the lockdown , had allowed the sale of liquir outside containment zones
 with “certain conditions”. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the order is applicable only on standalone shops.
“Liquor stores and pan shops will be allowed to function in green zones while ensuring a minimum six feet distance (2 gaz ki doori) from each other and ensuring that not more than five persons are present at one time at the shop,” the Home Ministry had said in a statement.