HC Stays Order to Close Down Bar Hotels in Kozhi

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday stayed the implementation of the Kozhikode District Collector’s order to close down bar hotels in the district on New Year eve. Justice V Chitambaresh passed the order while considering a petition filed by P Ajaikumar, managing partner, Sea Queen Hotel, Kozhikode, challenging the order issued by the Collector under Section 54 of the Kerala Abkari Act.The Collector had issued the prohibition order on December 24 directing to close down all bar hotels in Kozhikode after 8 p m on December 31. The petitioner alleged that the order was based on a vague report of the district police chief. The police had reported that the people had a tendency to get drunk, wander in motorcycles and vehicles and even fight with each other in public on the New Year eve. The petitioner alleged that similar orders were issued during the past three years in connection with New Year.  But in the previous years, the court had permitted to open bars on that day.