Kerala High Court upholds state’s new liquor ban law, bars to be shut

New Delhi: In a major jolt to bar owners, the Kerala High Court on Thursday upheld the state’s new liquor ban.

A batch of writ petitions filed by bar hoteliers challenging the Government order cancelling the bar licenses of hotels below the category of five star was cancelled.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had permitted bar owners to do business till the High Court pronounced the judgment.

The apex court had also asked the State to maintain status quo on its decision to close down bar hotels. The initial apex court order was to maintain status quo till September 30.     

In August, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said that over 700 bars across the state would have to shut down.