Not staying in liquor sales, the Supreme Court rules, suggests home delivery to maintain social distance

Prayagraj: People buy alcohol at a wine store after authorities allowed the sale of liquor with certain restrictions, during the ongoing national blockade COVID-19, in Prayagraj. (PTI Photo)

Liquor delivery at home, online liquor delivery: The Supreme Court today refused to approve any order to suspend liquor sales during the shutdown. The higher court, however, said states could consider online alcohol delivery to control massive crowds outside liquor stores across the country and maintain social distancing.

“We will not pass any order. States should consider indirect sale or home delivery of liquor to maintain social distance, “the court said.

The court made the observation while listening to a petition seeking instructions to declare direct contact sales of alcoholic spirits for human consumption in liquor stores as unconstitutional, void and invalid.

Lawyer Sai Deepak, representing the petitioner, said that the rules of social distancing are openly flouted, since the number of stores is less and the number of people who consume liquor is enormous. He said this is affecting the life of a common man and urged the superior court to order the Interior Ministry to make clarifications and the state must comply with it.

The government has allowed the sale of liquor during the closing with strict implementation of the rules of social distancing.