MY HINDUSTHAN PAINTS, THRISSUR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Come rain or shine, one feature that appear immune, oblivious and impervious to the seasons is the long winding serpentine queues that are now ubiquitous in front of the retail shops, operated by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC), vending liquor.

(2.) Exordially, I must say, without any ambiguity that I do not, in this judgment, intend to say anything regarding the sale of liquor by the KSBC or about the right or entitlement of the customers to buy such liquor. I am only reacting to the specific instances of nuisance and inconvenience shown and demonstrated by the petitioners on account of the long languorous queue of people waiting on the public streets and public areas causing continual and incessant vexation and discomfiture.

(3.) In a true democracy, the dignity of each citizen is assured by well publicised and transparent rules governing behaviour - rules that each citizen has a role in affirming. The key of our civil dignity, thus essentially, is an agreement on right action which is strengthened by regulations of common good and mutual responsibility for maintaining beneficial equilibrium.