Why Did Bombay HC Slam Pune’s 10-Day Liquor Ban During Ganesh Chaturthi?

The Bombay High Court on Friday sharply reprimanded the Pune district administration over its order enforcing a blanket 10-day ban on liquor sales during the upcoming Ganesh festival. Terming the decision arbitrary and discriminatory, the court questioned why Pune was uniquely targeted when neighbouring Mumbai and other districts in Maharashtra faced no comparable restrictions, directing the administration to withdraw the notification or face judicial intervention.

The observations were made by a division bench comprising Chief Justice M.C. Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna while hearing writ petitions filed by local hotel associations and wine shop owners challenging the Pune Collector's prohibition directive. Maha Ashtami 2026: Why West Bengal Is Shutting Liquor Shops and Bars Across the State.

'A Stigma On Pune Residents': Bench Questions Singling Out District

During the proceedings, the bench strongly disapproved of the administration's selective approach, observing that the order unfairly profiled the city.

'What is the rationale behind choosing only Pune? We deprecate such practice. This is a stigma on Pune residents,' the bench remarked. 'What are you trying to portray, that only people in Pune behave badly after drinking? One district you are choosing across the state.' Durga Puja 2026 Guidelines: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Announces Alcohol Sale Ban and Strict Pandal Rules.

The court emphasised that while district authorities carry a legitimate duty to maintain law and order and curtail public nuisance during large-scale celebrations, pre-emptive prohibitions cannot rest on broad generalisations. The bench noted that authorities cannot proceed on the presumption that every individual who consumes alcohol will breach the peace or disrupt street order.

In a lighter aside during arguments on the suddenness and duration of the ban, Chief Justice Tripathi quipped that habitual drinkers could face sudden withdrawal complications: 'They will flood hospitals if they don't get to drink for 10 days.'

Trade Impact And Legal Challenge

The petitions challenged the directive issued by the Pune District Collector, which had mandated a complete closure of licensed liquor vends, permit rooms, and retail establishments across the district for the entire 10-day duration of the Ganesh festival starting September 14.

Counsel representing the petitioners argued that the blanket ban infringed upon the fundamental right of licence holders to carry on trade and commerce, particularly during a festive season that typically sees high hospitality activity. Petitioners pointed out that state-wide festival guidelines do not provide for an automatic 10-day dry period and that liquor licences are granted under regulatory frameworks that cannot be arbitrarily suspended wholesale without clear statutory grounds.

Administration Asked To Reconsider

The High Court asked the counsel representing the Pune District Collector to seek prompt instructions and inform the bench later in the day whether the administration would voluntarily withdraw the prohibition order.

The court warned that if the administration failed to recall the notification, the bench would proceed to pass formal judicial orders setting aside the directive.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 07:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).