The Nagpur city police on Monday rejected allegations of inaction regarding illegal liquor consumption, noise pollution, and public nuisance by eateries operating on PDKV land in East Shankar Nagar. In a detailed reply before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, police authorities asserted that necessary action has been taken as per law through continuous enforcement over the years.
Police Response to PIL
The reply was filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by three residents of Shankar Nagar, represented by senior counsel Akshay Naik and Parth Malviya. The petitioners alleged that authorities failed to curb unlawful activities, including liquor consumption without permits, operation beyond permissible hours, and noise pollution. They sought directives to permanently shut down such establishments and enforce stricter policing under the Maharashtra Police Act and Prohibition Act.
Countering these claims, the police maintained that between 2016 and 2025, a total of 280 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act and other applicable laws. The reply emphasized that the registration of FIRs itself demonstrates that the police had taken cognisance of complaints and initiated legal action. It added that immediate steps are taken when violations are detected, including stopping sound systems operating beyond permissible hours and initiating legal proceedings.
Enforcement Measures
Police authorities stated that regular night patrolling, surprise inspections, and preventive action against violations such as illegal liquor consumption, late-night operations, and loud music are routinely conducted. In one instance, a restaurant was sealed for 15 days under Section 142 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act following repeated violations. The police also noted that several establishments were found allowing customers to bring liquor and consume it on the premises, leading to action.
Addressing concerns over public nuisance, the police said preventive measures, including notices, rounding up habitual offenders, and continuous surveillance, are in place. Immediate preventive and legal action have been taken in cases involving disorderly conduct, rash driving, and late-night disturbances, the reply stated.
Jurisdictional Limitations
The reply, filed by Bajaj Nagar police inspector Chetansingh Chauhan through additional government pleader Sangita Jachak, also highlighted jurisdictional limitations. It stated that licensing, building permissions, and regulatory enforcement fall primarily under the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the State Excise Department. The answering respondent is not the authority for issuance of licenses, the reply stated, urging the court to direct inclusion of the municipal commissioner as a party to the case.
The authorities also pointed to systemic gaps, including the removal of mandatory police verification for certain licenses since 2015, which they suggested has impacted regulatory oversight. Denying generalised allegations of inaction, the police told the court that enforcement is based on specific instances, evidence, and complaints, with ongoing monitoring to maintain public order.
