The Supreme Court on Monday (January 19, 2026) stayed the order of the Rajasthan High Court, in which the state government was directed to remove all liquor shops within 500 meters of national and state highways. The High Court had given this order in view of the increase in road accidents.
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice on the petitions of liquor sellers and Rajasthan government. However, the bench also said that the concern of the High Court was justified and the government can consider it while formulating its excise policy in future.
The Supreme Court ordered, ‘Notice should be issued. The effect and implementation of the challenged order is stayed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, said the Supreme Court had earlier directed that there should not be liquor shops within 500 meters of highways, but the problem arose where these roads passed through cities. He said, ‘Later in the order it was clarified that there will be no such restriction on liquor shops within the limits of the municipal body (Municipality/Municipal Corporation).’
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the liquor shop owners, argued that the High Court had made a mistake in passing the order without hearing the parties concerned. He said that the High Court was hearing a case related to Sujangarh village, but without listening to other parties, it issued the order for the entire state.
On this, Justice Sandeep Mehta said that the High Court has jurisdiction over the entire state. Continuing his argument, Rohatgi said that the view of the High Court was contrary to the direction of the Supreme Court, which had said that there is no such restriction within the municipal limits.
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