The Bombay High Court recently expressed skepticism regarding a directive that imposed a liquor ban in Pune specifically for the duration of the Ganeshotsav festival. During the proceedings, the presiding bench questioned the legal basis for the restriction, asking authorities to explain why such a measure was applied exclusively to Pune and not other regions.

The court challenged the necessity of the ban, noting that there was no clear evidence linking the sale of alcohol to potential law-and-order disturbances during the religious festivities. Furthermore, the judges raised concerns about the health implications for habitual drinkers, suggesting that a sudden prohibition could lead to medical emergencies. The court’s remarks centered on the lack of a logical connection between the festival's conduct and the total prohibition of liquor sales, prompting a demand for justification from the local administration regarding the specific targeting of the city.