The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a news article highlighting public grievances caused by a liquor shop in Sirgitti, Bilaspur. Acting on the report published in the Hindi daily Navbharat, the court initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the adverse impact of the distillery on the local community, particularly women.
The news report described how the liquor shop, located near the Tarbahar under-bridge, is a significant source of daily troubles. Locals, especially women, face harassment from intoxicated individuals, leading to frequent disputes in the area. Additionally, residents claim that the shop violates government regulations, being situated close to a temple and residential areas. Despite repeated representations to the district administration, no action has been taken to address these concerns.
The court expressed concern over the shop’s non-compliance with rules, including the construction of an enclosure for alcohol consumption on-site, which exacerbates traffic congestion as customers park their vehicles on the main road.
In its order, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, directed the Secretary Excise and the Municipal Commissioner of Bilaspur to file personal affidavits explaining the situation by February 6, 2025.
The court’s intervention raises hopes among the affected residents for a resolution to this long-standing issue. Further developments are awaited as the matter comes up for the next hearing.
