The Kerala High Court today stayed the government's decision to allow the supply of alcohol during the Coronavirus lockdown to those suffering from withdrawal (TN Prathapan and ors vs. State of Kerala)..The order was passed via video conferencing by a Division Bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Shaji P Chaly in three pleas, including one by Congress MP, TN Prathapan, challenging the government's move. All three petitions were admitted today. .Speaking for the Bench, Justice Nambiar said that after hearing brief submissions today, the Court was prima facie inclined to stay the government order for a period of three weeks. .The order passed in this regard reads,."After hearing the rival submissions, we are prima facie inclined to stay the operation and further proceedings pursuant to the aforesaid government order and the proceedings of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation for a period of three weeks."Kerala High Court.The matter has been posted to be taken up next on April 28. .The government order under challenge was passed on Monday night, reportedly despite objection from doctors' associations. By this order, the government had allowed the supply of alcohol during the 21-day national lockdown to those facing alcohol withdrawal on a doctor's prescription attesting to the same. .[Read the order]
The Kerala High Court today stayed the government's decision to allow the supply of alcohol during the Coronavirus lockdown to those suffering from withdrawal (TN Prathapan and ors vs. State of Kerala)..The order was passed via video conferencing by a Division Bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Shaji P Chaly in three pleas, including one by Congress MP, TN Prathapan, challenging the government's move. All three petitions were admitted today. .Speaking for the Bench, Justice Nambiar said that after hearing brief submissions today, the Court was prima facie inclined to stay the government order for a period of three weeks. .The order passed in this regard reads,."After hearing the rival submissions, we are prima facie inclined to stay the operation and further proceedings pursuant to the aforesaid government order and the proceedings of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation for a period of three weeks."Kerala High Court.The matter has been posted to be taken up next on April 28. .The government order under challenge was passed on Monday night, reportedly despite objection from doctors' associations. By this order, the government had allowed the supply of alcohol during the 21-day national lockdown to those facing alcohol withdrawal on a doctor's prescription attesting to the same. .[Read the order]