Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction
Order Date: 11 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Janardhan G Thorat and others (Writ Petition No. 12052 of 2026) and National Restaurant Association of India (Writ Petition No. 12053 of 2026).
- Respondents: The Collector of Pune and Anr.; The Collector, State Excise, Pune and Anr.
- Counsel for petitioners: Ms. Veena Thadhani a/w Ms. Rutuja Gaikwad; Mr. Karl Thamboly a/w Mr. Sameer Pandit, Ms. Krina Gandhi, Mr. Chintan Pasad i/b. Wadia Ghandy & Co.
- Counsel for respondents: Ms. Neha Bhide, GP a/w Mr. K.B. Dighe, Addl. G.P., and Mrs. P.J. Gavhane, AGP; DCP Prashant Amrutkar, Pune District present.
- The petitioners relied on two prior interim orders:
1. Interim Order dated 15 September 2023 in Writ Petition No. 6290 of 2023 (Washim District Liquor Bar Association vs State of Maharashtra) under Section 142(1) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, directing ‘Dry Day’ observance on 19 Sept 2023 and 28 Sept 2023 in Washim district and on 29‑30 Sept 2023 in specified police‑station areas.
2. Order dated 13 April 2023 in Writ Petition No. 2419 of 2023 (Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench) granting interim relief per paragraph 5 of that order.
- In the second hearing, respondent counsel Mr. K.B. Dighe stated that 25 September 2026 shall be observed as a ‘Dry Day’ and that prohibition on retail liquor sale shall continue on 14 September 2026 until 4.00 pm, urging disposal of the writ petitions.
- Petitioners, acknowledging the respondent’s statement, submitted that their grievance was redressed and they were not pressing the petitions further.
Final Outcome
- The Court, after considering the submissions and the respondent’s categorical instructions, disposed of Writ Petition Nos. 12052 and 12053 of 2026, concluding that no further relief was required.
Topics: Liquor Regulation, Dry Day Orders