The Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directives to the Tamil Nadu government to reduce the number of TASMAC liquor outlets and eventually implement prohibition across the State.

The plea was filed by former AIADMK MLA A. Sreedharan, who also urged the Court to direct the government to mandate labels on liquor bottles specifying the permissible quantity of alcohol consumption. Additionally, the petition sought a study into the impact of alcohol consumption on domestic violence, infertility, and the rise in young widows.

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice M.M. Srivastava and Justice Sundar Mohan.

Responding to the petition, the State government’s counsel submitted that warning labels about the harmful effects of alcohol are already present on liquor bottles, and public awareness campaigns have been conducted.

The bench, however, observed, “When it is already stated on the liquor bottle that alcohol is harmful to health, the Court cannot direct how much quantity a person can consume. Such matters fall outside the scope of judicial directions.”

On the petitioner’s request to reduce the number of TASMAC shops, the Court noted that such decisions fall within the domain of government policy. “Reduction of liquor shops is a policy matter. The Court cannot issue directives on such issues,” the judges clarified.

Finding no grounds for judicial intervention, the High Court dismissed the petition.