The High Court of Karnataka on Friday ordered the deputy commissioner of the excise department to take steps for removing a liquor shop located next to a girls' hostel in Yelahanka 4th Stage, North Bengaluru.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Abhay S Oka directed that an inspection be conducted as per rules 5 and 2 (a) of the Karnataka Excise Act and that necessary steps be taken for removing the liquor outlet.
The court noted that rule 2(a) of the act states that a licence for any liquor shop should be given only after assessing public safety.
The court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by the Yelahanka Residents' Association, which argued that the permission given to the liquor shop was illegal. Advocate M Shivaprakash argued for the petitioner.