In view of the mushroom growth of bars, resturants and wine shops in City of Temples, Jammu, the court today directed the government to file response within one week.
The court directed that the response must be with reference to the license granted in favour of liquor shops at the places of worship, hospitals, educational institutions, state highway or National Highway.The directions were given a Division Bench (DB) of State High Court comprising Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice BS Walia in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two advocates and one law student.
A Division Bench of after hearing advocate Suhasni Vasisatha appearing for the PIL, issued notice Commissioner – cum- Secretary to Government, Excise Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Excise Commissioner and Ors which were accepted by advocate MA Bhat.
In the PIL, filed by advocates Suhasni Vasisatha, Deepa Sharma and lawstudent Shashank Vasisath, the litigants submitted that the petitioners are public-spirited persons and have been espousing issues of public importance at various forums including this court.
Many problems are being faced by the common public in Jammu Division which is also called as “City of Temples” because of the continuous multiplicity of opening up of new bars and restaurants along with the existing bars and restaurants and wine shops, the litigants submitted.
This is adversely impacting the citizens, especially women, young girls, children and youngsters of teen age. That as per the information received under Right to Information Act, 2009, there are presently 220 wine shops running within the Jammu Division, whereas, besides this, there are already 109 bars and restaurants which are functioning within the Jammu Division, they submitted.
That there are 03 wine shops and 2 bars and restaurants within the Kashmir Division and 02 wine shops and 20 bars and restaurants within the Ladhakh Division.
It is also apt to mention over here that despite of the huge number of already existing wine shops as well as bars and restaurants within the State of J&K, the Excise Department is still in continuation of the process of issuance/allotment of fresh licenses for opening of new bars and restaurants within the State of J&K, the litigants submitted.
In the petition, petitioners sought direction to stay the ongoing process of granting licenses of the four bar and restaurants, which are falling on the road from Kunjwani Bye Pass, Jammu upto Narwal Bye Pass Jammu, as there are already exists 03 wine shops and 04 bars and restaurants which are running on the present date till the final disposal of this Public Interest Litigation.
