HC seeks response on liquor shop in residential area

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 22: High Court has sought a response indicating the adherence of rules from the authorities with regard to allowing liquor shop in Dalgate Srinagar.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey hearing the plea filed by the inhabitants of Boulevard area of Dalgate Srinagar questioning the action of authorities of allowing sale of liquor in the residential area close to the prayer place and school building which as per the residents of the area is prohibited in terms of the law governing the field.
Court has been informed that the District Magistrate Srinagar has not adhered to the procedure as established in terms of the J&K, Liquor License and Sale Rules and granted no objection certificate in favour of the liquor shop owner.
Counsel appearing for the residents of the area submitted before the court that object of seeking opinion of the residents is writ large as the sale of liquor in residential area that too close to the vicinity of school and prayer place is not only against the law but also against the rights of the residents who do not want to pollute the area.
Justice Magrey before proceedings further in the matter, sought response from the Excise Commissioner and District Magistrate Srinagar qua the claim set up by the residents. Court asked the authorities to indicate in the response as to whether the rules have been followed while allowing the sale of liquor in the area.
The liquor shop has been allowed to run in favour of one Anupama Pandon of Gandhi Nagar Jammu and the residents in their plea are seeking shifting of the said shop from the present place to some other place.
As is submitted in the plea the residents of the area had approached in this regard to the authorities by way of written complaint and representation but no results came out compelling the petitioners to approach the court to redress their grievances.
Petitioners are seeking the implementation of judgment of Supreme court qua the establishment of liquor vend in the urban areas which comes within the municipality especially when grave public resentment is on the face of the issue and the setting up of the liquor vend has termed to be a public nuisance.