Kerala HC Halts Dry Day Order Near Tamil Nadu Border

The Kerala High Court has temporarily suspended a state government order imposing a 'dry day' within five kilometres of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The court cited lack of jurisdiction as the rationale for the stay, emphasizing that only polling areas could be subjected to such restrictions.

The Kerala High Court has intervened to pause a state government directive enforcing a 'dry day' in areas within a five-kilometre radius of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, prior to the Assembly elections set for April 23. The decision was taken by a vacation bench headed by Justice S Manu.

The bench responded to claims that the state overstepped its authority, as the liquor sales prohibition, under the Representation of the People Act, can only be applied in election areas. The state's order, however, extended beyond those limits, affecting non-election areas.

Hotels in Palakkad filed a plea against the state’s directive, arguing that the restrictions were unjustly impacting their operations. The court's decision currently awaits detailed documentation on the High Court's official platform.