Bombay High Court Strikes Down 10-Day Alcohol Ban in Pune During Ganesh Festival

The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed a 10-day alcohol prohibition order imposed by Pune administration during the Ganesh festival. A bench of Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna ruled that singling out Pune while sparing other regions, including Mumbai, was discriminatory and stigmatised the city and its residents.

Hotel and wine shop owner associations had challenged the Collector's order in court. The bench questioned the rationale for targeting only Pune, described as the state's most "civilised and educated city." The court noted that while maintaining law and order is important, a blanket 10-day trade ban on licensed establishments was unjustified.

Following the HC's intervention, Pune authorities agreed to limit the restriction to just two days: until 4 pm on September 14 (festival start) and throughout September 25 (which is already a dry day). The court accepted the revised position and directed the Collector to issue a fresh order accordingly.