DNA
 
Mumbai, Aug 9: With the Maharashtra government cracking down on drunken driving, the next logical step would be to also clamp down on the illegal 60 bar-cum-restaurants located in Greater Mumbai city, 184 in its suburban region and 65 more in Thane district.

Another 34 are located in Nagpur, with Jalgaon and Kolhapur each boasting of 28 such illegal bar-cum-restaurants. Most other districts too have illegal bars, though in single digits. The state government told the House on October 22, 2002 that the state excise commissioner had identified 439 such bars across the state.

Surprisingly, it revoked the license of only a single grade I restaurant and bar located in South Mumbai and fought the case up to the Supreme Court.

The police shut down Vikram Shama Shetty’s Shree Laxmisha Restaurant and Bar, in Masjid Bunder on September 29, 2003, as the distance between his hotel and a masjid was less than the prescribed 75 metres.

Shetty approached the Bombay high court. Justice RMS Khandeparkar on October 16, 2003, stayed the order of the state government, cancelling his permit license (FL III No 551).

Justice Khandeparkar noted: “The permit license was granted to Shetty following the appellate order passed on March 26, 1999 by the commissioner of the state excise.

The order disclosed that the distance between his premises and of the religious institution was more than 75 metres.” Khandeparkar also noted that Shetty was justified in complaining about discrimination in revoking his permit, while others were allowed to enjoy the same.