Archive · 19 Jan 2026
SC Stays Rajasthan HC Order on Liquor Shops
The Supreme Court has temporarily stopped an order from the Rajasthan High Court that wanted to move 1,102 liquor shops away from highways.
The High Court said these shops were causing more drunk driving accidents.
The state and liquor shop owners argued that the High Court's order was too strict and didn't follow earlier Supreme Court rules.
The Supreme Court agreed to pause the High Court's order while they think more about it.
This is important because it affects how close liquor shops can be to highways and how the government balances safety and money from these shops.
The Supreme Court stayed the Rajasthan High Court's order to shift 1,102 liquor shops near national and state highways.
The High Court had ordered the removal due to a rise in drunk driving cases and public safety concerns.
The state and liquor license holders argued that the High Court's order was too strict and didn't follow previous Supreme Court relaxations.
The Supreme Court granted interim protection to the state and affected licensees.
The High Court had noted a 7.55% increase in drunk driving cases in Rajasthan from 2024 to September 2025.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Rajasthan High Court, Rajasthan Government, Liquor License Holders
- What
- Supreme Court stayed the Rajasthan High Court's order to shift 1,102 liquor shops near national and state highways
- When
- The Supreme Court's decision was made on Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Rajasthan, India
- Why
- The Rajasthan High Court had ordered the removal of liquor shops due to a rise in drunk driving cases and public safety concerns, while the Supreme Court stayed the order citing previous relaxations and state discretion
Rajasthan High Court
Supreme Court, Rajasthan Government, Liquor License Holders
Public Safety vs. Economic Considerations
Rajasthan High Court
Public safety under Article 21 of the Constitution outweighs financial considerations, and the removal of liquor shops is necessary to reduce drunk driving accidents.
Supreme Court, Rajasthan Government, Liquor License Holders
The Supreme Court's earlier judgments provide relief from the 500-meter restriction, and the High Court's order ignores these relaxations, causing significant revenue loss.
- Number of Liquor Shops
- 1,102
- Location
- National and state highways within municipal limits in Rajasthan
- Distance Norm
- 500 meters from highways
- Revenue Loss
- Rs 2,100 crore
- Drunk Driving Cases in 2024
- 40,715
- Drunk Driving Cases by September 2025
- 43,788
- Increase in Drunk Driving Cases
- 7.55%
