New Delhi, May 9 : As chaos ensued at liquor shops across India after they reopened following a 40-day lockdown, the Supreme Court on Friday said states should consider allowing the online sale of liquor to ensure physical distancing norms are observed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A Bench, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, however, refused to pass any orders on a PIL seeking direction for the authorities to allow the online sale and home delivery of liquor.
“We will not pass any order… but states should consider indirect sale/home delivery of liquor to maintain social distancing norms,” the Bench said while disposing of a petition by advocate Anindita Mitra.
“Discussion on home delivery etc is going on,” it noted.
On behalf of the petitioner, advocate J Sai Deepak submitted that the life of a common man should be affected and the Ministry of Home Affairs should issue a clarification regarding liquor sale. The PIL wanted the top court to declare direct contact sales at liquor shops during the COVID-19 lockdown unconstitutional.
Deepak said physical distancing norms were being violated as the number of shops could not match up to the massive demand for liquor.
“What do you want us to do in an Article 32 petition?” wondered Justice SK Kaul who was part of the Bench.
As authorities allowed resumption of liquor sale on May 5 after 40 days, large serpentine queues were witnessed at liquor shops in various parts of the country, with buyers violating physical distancing norms made mandatory by the government.—PTI
