Kerala HC upholds govt's decision: 700 bars to shut down, 5 stars, heritage hotels exempt
October 30, 2014  14:29
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No relief for bar owners in Kerala. The High Court has pronounced its verdict on a clutch of petitions challenging the state government's decision to shut down over 700 bars in the state.

The court upheld the state government's decision which means over 700 bars in the state will shut down with immediate effect. The court however said that four and five star hotels as well as heritage hotels were exempt from this rule. All bars in two and three star hotels will also have to shut down.

Announcing a 10-year plan that would bring prohibition to Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in August that over 700 bars across the state will have to shut down.

He added that only five-star hotels would be allowed to keep serving alcohol and even they will have go dry on Sundays. The court has amended this to include four star hotels and heritage hotels.

The bar owners had challenged that order in court, contending that the decision was taken in haste. They also said that it would impact tourism and would also affect revenues.
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