Bombay HC Questions 12-Day Alcohol Ban in Pune: ‘You Cannot Say Everyone Who Drinks Will Create Law-and-Order Issue’
Mumbai, 11th September 2026: The Bombay High Court on Friday strongly deprecated the Maharashtra government’s decision to impose a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in Pune district for 12 days during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, observing that such an order could have unintended consequences, including a surge in patients at hospitals.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna questioned the rationale behind keeping the entire district dry for an extended period, saying that it could adversely affect habitual and regular drinkers.
“If these kinds of blanket orders are there, you will have a huge crowd in hospitals,” Chief Justice Tripathi observed, adding that habitual drinkers could suffer serious medical complications if alcohol was suddenly unavailable.
The bench acknowledged the government’s stated objective of maintaining law and order during the festival but said it could not be presumed that every person consuming alcohol would create a public order problem.
“We understand that your intention is to maintain law and order during the festival, but it is not as if everyone who drinks will create a law and order situation,” the Chief Justice said.
The court observed that action could be taken against any individual who creates a law and order problem, irrespective of whether the person had consumed alcohol.
“It is a festival. Let people celebrate,” the Chief Justice said, while reiterating that blanket prohibitory orders without a rational basis could not be sustained.
The bench also took particular note of the fact that the 12-day alcohol ban was being imposed specifically across Pune district.
“We seriously do not appreciate this. What message are you trying to give against a particular city?” the Chief Justice questioned the government.
The court directed the state to obtain proper instructions on the issue, warning that it may pass appropriate orders if the government fails to provide a satisfactory explanation.
The matter was kept back for hearing at 3 pm on Friday.
