The Pune district administration has reduced its proposed 10-day liquor ban during the Ganesh Chaturthi to just two days following intervention by the Bombay High Court.

Additional Government Pleader KB Dighe informed the Court that September 25 will be observed as a ‘dry day’, while the restriction on retail liquor sales on September 14 will remain in force only until 4 pm.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait M Sethna had earlier questioned the decision to impose a blanket liquor ban for 10 days.

“What is the rationale behind choosing only Pune? We deprecate such practice,” Chief Justice Tripathi remarked.

The Court also cautioned that abruptly stopping alcohol consumption among habitual drinkers could result in physical shock and potentially lead to hospitalisation.

The High Court was hearing a petition filed by the National Restaurant Association of India and retail liquor associations challenging the original 10-day prohibition. Following the administration’s decision to revise the duration of the ban, the Court disposed of the petition.

Advocates Veena Thadhani and Rutuja Gaikwad represented retail liquor shop owners.

Advocates Karl Thamboly, Sameer Pandit, Krina Gandhi and Chintan Pasad, briefed by Wadia Ghandy & Co., appeared for the restaurant association.

Government Pleaders Neha Bhide, KB Dighe and PJ Gavhane represented the Pune administration.

Case Title: Janardhan G Thorat And Ors. v. Collector of Pune & Anr.