MUMBAI, February 19: The Bombay High Court today ruled that liquor bars in Thane will remain closed only for four days during the coming polls, as against the six days stipulated by the Thane collector.Liquor sellers and bar owners in Thane had filed a petition challenging the legality of the circular issued by the Thane collector. As per the circular, the liquor bars had to close down from February 26 to March 3 for "the maintenance of peace, law and order during the election process." However, HC, after admitting the petition of liquor sellers, today brought down the dry days from six to four. Liquor sale in Thane will now be closed only from February 26 to 28, and on the counting day of March 2.The petitioners included Chintaman Nathuram Koli (Yamuna Bar) Shankar Koli (Shankar Bar), Anant Bhoir (Bhushan bar) and two others selling Indian-made foreign liquor and beers. The petition was filed under the guidance of the Maharashtra State Liquor Sellers Federation, claimed advisor H R Adyanthaya. He saidthe petition assumes significance in light of the fact that a series of similar petitions will soon be filed in other parts of mofussil and urban Maharashtra, wherever collectors have issued prohibition orders.According to the petitioners, the six-day liquor prohibition order was arbitrary and violative of their right to carry on business. They said the Representation of People's Act also calls for closure of liquor shops only 48 hours before polling. Therefore, any circular contrary to the Act's provisions cannot be relied upon. The petitioners also referred to an earlier Bombay High Court ruling, which had derecognised a 12-day ban.The petitioners also objected to the fact that the six-day ban will apply to all areas falling within the radius of 10 kms from the constituency going to polls. They claim that a ban, if any, can only be imposed in the entire constituency. Moreover, the Thane collector has not given any reasons for the ban on sale and consumption of liquor in public places. The petitionersalso complained they weren't informed about the ban circular issued by the district election officer and the state government.
