Plea in Supreme Court against consumption of liquor

A Public Interest Litigation has been filed by an advocate seeking direction to the governments of states and centre to frame a policy to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health unless it is for a medical purpose.

New Delhi:A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the governments of states and centre to frame a policy to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health unless it is for a medical purpose.

In a slew of directions asked in the prayer, the petitioner seeks an introduction of health warning that covers at least 50% of liquor bottles/containers on both sides and print intoxicating drinks related health hazards on it in Hindi and English. It also seeks banning the advertisements for such drinks, campaign to educate people about the health hazards and inserting a chapter in primary classes to educate the children.

Citing the reason to move to SC, the petitioner alleges that during the lockdown the government had allowed liquor sale even though it is associated with mental disorders and citizens who have the alcoholic disorder are vulnerable especially during the isolation period. Saying that liquor is responsible for 2.5 million deaths a year, the government should not be allowing any relaxations and rules must be enforced during the corona pandemic.

"It destroys the liver and weakens the immune system. Researches confirm that a person with weaker immunity has a higher chance of succumbing to Coronavirus Disease (COVID)," read the PIL.

The PIL has been filed by Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay.