Overview
- The Kerala High Court stayed a state order on Tuesday that sought to stop liquor sales near the Tamil Nadu border during the April 23 election.
- The state order required bars within five kilometres of the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border to shut from 10 am on April 21 to midnight on April 23.
- Justice S. Manu said the government cited no law that allowed such a ban and referred to Section 135C, which restricts liquor curbs to polling areas.
- The petition came from Palakkad three-star hotels with FL-3 bar licences, who argued the Abkari Act provides no authority for a cross-state election shutdown.
- The stay remains in effect, the detailed order is yet to be uploaded, and the court has listed the case for hearing on June 8.