(1.) Leave granted in Special Leave Petitions.
(2.) In response to wide-spread agitation by the women of Andhra Pradesh, the Government prohibited the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors by an Ordinance issued on December 27, 1994. In February, 1995, the Legislature of Andhra Pradesh enacted the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition Act, 1995 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act") replacing the Ordinance. It was reserved for and received the assent of the President of India. The long title and the preamble to the Act reads :
(3.) Clause (7) of Section 2 defines the expression "liquor" to include"(a) spirits of wine, denatured spirits, methylated spirits, rectified spirits, wine, beer and every liquid consisting of or containing alcohol; and (b) any other intoxicating substance which the Government may, by notification declare to be liquor for the purposes of this Act, but does not include toddy." Section 7 is the main provision prohibiting selling, buying and consumption of liquor. It reads :