High court cites Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of prohibition, cancels liquor bar licence | Legal News
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi‘s vision of total prohibition, the Madras High Court has cancelled a liquor bar licence granted to a recreation club in Tamil Nadu‘s Karaikudi in proximity of a temple, a church and a university, holding that authorities failed to comply with mandatory legal safeguards and adequately assess public interest before permitting the sale of liquor. The licence had been challenged by local residents who alleged that the proposed bar was located close to a temple, church, hospitals and educational institutions, and the court noted that the establishment was forced to shut within two days of opening following sustained public protests. A bench of Justices N Sathish Kumar and M Jothiraman was hearing two public interest litigations (PILs) challenging an FL2 licence granted by the commissioner of prohibition and excise department to ‘Santhosam Recreation Club’ on November 12, 2025. The petitioners sought cancellation of the licence, alleging violations of statutory rules governing liquor establishments and questioning the suitability of the location. “It is pertinent to mention that Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi tried …









