Any plan to restrict sale of liquor in hotel bars and clubs located close to educational institutions? Madas High Court asks Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise

The Madras High Court recently heard a petition that highlighted a disturbing incident involving a 19‑year‑old college student who was able to purchase and consume alcohol at a bar attached to a hotel that is reportedly managed by the college itself. Justice N. Ramesh expressed shock at the fact that a venue so close to an educational institution was serving liquor to a minor, and he asked the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise whether any plan exists to restrict the sale of alcohol in hotel bars and clubs that operate near schools or colleges.

Under the current Karnataka and Tamil Nadu statutes, the sale of alcohol is prohibited within a prescribed distance of schools, colleges and other institutions that cater to minors. The Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise is responsible for issuing licenses, monitoring compliance and taking action against establishments that violate the distance rule. In recent years several states have tightened the distance requirement and introduced mandatory checks to prevent underage drinking, but enforcement remains uneven. The court’s query therefore seeks clarification on whether the state government has issued a concrete policy or an operational guideline that would prevent similar lapses in the future.

The issue is significant for readers across India because it touches on the safety of young adults, the credibility of educational institutions and the effectiveness of regulatory bodies tasked with protecting public health. When a college‑run venue can serve alcohol to a minor, it raises doubts about the oversight mechanisms that are supposed to keep campuses safe and free from substance abuse. A clear policy that restricts liquor sales near schools would help parents, educators and law‑enforcement agencies to work together in reducing the risk of underage drinking and related social problems.