KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notice to the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government on the liquor ban in the state. The court was hearing a writ petition challenging the free sale and consumption of liquor in Muslim majority state and asked the state to file its response within one week.
The division bench comprising of Justice Ali Muhammad Magray and chief Justice Kumar Vassanta Patil while seeking response from the State Government has also directed the state to clarify its stand on why the liquor business is being allowed to flourish outside the religious places, educational institutions and on Highways. The petition was filed by socio-religious leader Maulana Ghulam Rasool Hami.
“The government has to file its reply within one week. The case has been listed for next hearing on October 6 next month,” Advocate Mudasir Naqashbandhi, lawyer of the petitioner, told CNS.
Religious organization Karwan-i-Islami has filed a Public Interest Litigation in Jammu and Kashmir High Court seeking ban on sale and consumption of liquor in the state.
The organisation has submitted that the state government has failed to take necessary steps for prohibition of sale and consumption of liquor.
The petitioner submitted that section 24 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir provides that the state shall make every effort to safeguard and promote the health of the people. “This section imposes obligation on the state to curb sale and consumption of liquor, which is responsible for deterioration of public health,” he pleads.
