LAWS(P&H)-2018-3-108

ARRIVE SAFE SOCIETY OF CHANDIGARH THROUGH ITS PRESIDENT HARMAN SINGH SIDHU Vs. STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS

Decided On March 27, 2018
Arrive Safe Society Of Chandigarh Through Its President Harman Singh Sidhu Appellant
V/S
State Of Haryana And Others Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner-Arrive Safe Society of Chandigarh through its President by way of instant petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India prays for a writ in the nature of mandamus for a direction to the respondents for immediate removal of places where liquor is being served/sold/supplied within 500 meters of National and State Highways in contravention to the judgments passed by the Supreme Court, dated 15.12.2016, 31.3.2017 and 11.7.2017, Annexures P.5 to P.7 respectively. Further direction has been sought to the respondents for immediate removal of all kinds of advertisements, hoardings, signs, signage, decorative lights which are still being displayed. Prayer has also been made for a writ in the nature of prohibition so that no further licences are issued by the respondents for sale/service of liquor within 500 meters of National and State Highways.

(2.) A few facts relevant for the decision of the controversy involved as narrated in the petition may be noticed. The Arrive Safe Society is an Indian NGO working on developing road safety programmes to increase knowledge, awareness and skills amongst all types of road users. Besides educating the youth about liquor abuse, it also works closely with the traffic police department to improve the law enforcement regarding drunken driving.

(3.) A short reply has been filed on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 ad 2 wherein it has been inter alia stated that there are no advertisements/hoardings/signs/signages displayed at any of the liquor vend/bar and if there was any, the same has been removed as on date. It has been further stated that licenses within 500 meters of National and State Highways have been issued only within the municipal limits as per the Haryana State Excise Policy 2017-18 and clarifications issued vide orders dated 11.7.2017 by the Supreme Court. No liquor vend/bar has been running along the National Highway/State Highway or Service lane thereto in violation of the orders of the Supreme Court.