Justices Vineet Kothari and Pushpa Satynarayanan has directed the closure of TASMAC/liquor vending outlets in Tamil Nadu, a day after it initially declined to intervene on a plea urging that they remain closed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Plea has been moved by actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan’s political party, Makkal Needhi Maiam, citing large scale violations of the guidelines issued for the sale of alcohol.
The Court has now directed the closure of alcohol vending outlets in the State, although it added that online or door-to-door delivery may be permitted. the Court had remarked, “We are of the opinion that we cannot totally prohibit the re-opening of the TASMAC shops for sale of Liqours, including Beer, Wine etc. in the State.”
It had also issued a number of additional guidelines to be adhered to concerning the limits of alcohol purchase per person per day, a bar on cash payments save for those without online payment facilities and a direction that the bill of sale include the name, Aadhar number and address of the customer.
