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Judgment
K.S. Hemalekha, J
The petitioners, who are the residents of Chinchali village, Raibag Taluk, Belagavi District, have approached this Court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents, particularly respondent No.4-Deputy Commissioner, Belagavi District to consider their representation dated 13.01.2026 [Annexure-D] and further to issue a notification for closure of Liquor Shops/Bars in Chinchali Town Panchayat during the annual Jatra/Fair of deity Mayakka Devi Temple, Chinchali, scheduled to be held on 01.02.2026 to 09.06.2026.
The grievance of the petitioners is that, notwithstanding the submission of the representation well in advance, no decision has been taken by the competent authority. It is contended that during previous years, permission for sale of Liquor during the annual Jatra resulted in law and order problems, disturbance to religious activities and breach of public peace.
Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that Section 21 of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965 ("the Act 1965" for short) empowers the authorities to order closure of Liquor Shops during festivals, processions or when there is a threat to maintenance of law and order. It is further submitted that this Court, in W.P.No.5722/2017 [GM-RES-PIL] had earlier directed the authorities to consider closure of Liquor Shops during the said annual Fair and to take appropriate decision in that regard.
It is also pointed out that the festival is an annual event attracting a large congregation of devotees and that the villagers are repeatedly constrained to approach this Court every year due to the inaction on part of the authorities, despite the earlier directions issued by this Court.
This Court is conscious of the fact that maintenance of law and order squarely falls within the domain of the District Administration, particularly the Deputy Commissioner. However, when a large religious gathering, fair or procession is scheduled, the Deputy Commissioner is duty bound to assess the situation and take a timely and reasoned decision as to "whether temporary closure of Liquor Shops/Bars is necessary to ensure peaceful conduct of the event"
In the facts and circumstances of the case, having regard to the limited prayer made in the writ petition, this Court is of the view that, the grievance of the petitioners can be adequately addressed by directing consideration of the representation in accordance with law.
Accordingly, this Court pass the following;
ORDER
i) The writ petition is disposed of.
ii) Respondent No.4-Deputy Commissioner, Belagavi District, is directed to consider the petitioners' representation dated 13.01.2026 [Annexure-D] and take a decision as to whether closure of 'Liquor Shops' and 'Bars' in Chinchali Town Panchayat, is warranted during the annual 'Mayakka Devi Temple Jatra/Fair' scheduled to be held on 01.02.2026 to 09.02.2026 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law at the earliest.