The Calcutta High Court on Thursday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking declaration of January 22 a "dry day" on account of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya [Nazia Elhai Khan vs State of West Bengal].A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya opined that declaring a dry day would come under the realm of a policy decision, which the Court cannot take. "This a policy decision. You will have to challenge the enactments which allow for (liqour) licensing. Actually, there is a prohibition. It is not free anyone cannot manufacture. A beverage corporation is there, and the trade is regulated by way of an enactment under the Excise Act. Unless those provisions are challenged, we cannot do anything," the Chief Justice observed.
With these observations, the bench dismissed the petition.During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner pointed out that a decision to declare January 22 as a dry day in view of the Ram Mandir consecration has been taken by five States including Chhattisgarh. However, the West Bengal government counsel termed the PIL as a "strange one" and argued that just because a few States have taken some decision, the Government of West Bengal cannot be asked to follow suit. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) will observe a half-day on January 22, the day of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.A notice by the NCDRC states that the functioning of the administrative side of the tribunal will commence 2:30 pm onwards on January 22.The notice comes pursuant to a memorandum issued by the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions calling for Central government offices across the country to be closed till 2:30 PM on that day.
It further states that in case of matters being adjourned on the day of the inauguration, the next dates will be notified as per the instruction of respective benches.
TAGS: Calcutta High Court PIL January 22 "Dry Day" Consecration Ram Temple
