Bar owners approach High Court challenging government's decision

Kochi: Bar owners in the State Monday approached the High Court challenging the government's decision to close over 700 bar hotels in the state maintaining it was discriminatory.

According to the petitioners all licenses should be considered as one class. Licenses granted to five star hotels and other bars cannot be treated differently.

They also contended that Excise Commissioner can recall a license only with the provisions of Abkari Act and Provisions of Foreign Liquor Rules. The legal procedures cannot be substituted by executive orders.

The bar owners stated that there cannot be a discrimination between five star and other bars.

Justice C T Ravikumar posted the case to tomorrow for hearing.

Meanwhile, Government Pleader informed the court that the government had decided to close down all bar hotels except licenses granted to five star hotels to sell foreign liquor. Modalities are yet to be decided, he stated.

Court then asked the government pleader to get instructions on whether the order for closing bars has been issued by the government.