India's World Cup-winning stars Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, and Sri Charani are expected to fetch significant amounts in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) mega auction in New Delhi on Thursday, while foreign stalwarts Laura Wolvaardt and Sophie Ecclestone are also likely to attract high bids.
Rajasthan High Court Order on Liquor Shops: The Rajasthan High Court has delivered a landmark and strict ruling regarding liquor shops operating along national and state highways. The court has clearly instructed that all liquor shops falling within a 500-meter radius of highways must be mandatorily closed or relocated. Under this order, a total of 1102 liquor shops in the state have been directed to be removed within two months.
Compliance with Supreme Court Orders Mandatory
This decision was delivered by the division bench of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjeet Purohit. The court stated that the directions given by the Supreme Court in the K. Balu vs. Government of India case must be strictly followed. The High Court also clarified that operating liquor shops on highways under the guise of municipal or urban areas is entirely illegal.
The state government had argued in court that many shops located on highways fall within urban areas and generate an annual revenue of approximately Rs 2221.78 crore for the government. However, the High Court rejected this argument, stating that citizens' lives are far more valuable than revenue.
Court's Strong Remarks
The High Court made b remarks on the government's policy, stating that the classification of "Municipal Area" has been misused to transform highways into “alcohol-friendly corridors,” which is unacceptable under any circumstances. The court explicitly stated that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution is paramount. The court expressed deep concern over the rising road accidents in the state.
Specific mention was made of the recent horrific road accidents in Harmada, Jaipur, and Phalodi, which claimed 28 lives in just two days. The court observed that over-speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol (drunk and drive) are major causes of such accidents. According to data presented before the court, an increase of approximately 8 percent in drunk and drive cases was recorded in the year 2025, which is extremely concerning.
Key Orders of the High Court
- 500-meter rule mandatory: No liquor shop shall operate within a 500-meter radius of National and State Highways, irrespective of whether it falls within a municipal area.
- 1102 shops to be shifted: The state government admitted that 1102 such shops are within this radius and will be removed within two months.
- Complete ban on advertising: Liquor advertisements, hoardings, and signboards visible from highways will be completely banned. Strict action will be taken for violations.
- Lives first: The court stated that public safety cannot be compromised solely for the sake of revenue.
The High Court has instructed the Excise Commissioner to submit a compliance affidavit for the matter to the court by January 26, 2026.
