Doctor files PIL for liquor, Karnataka HC slaps Rs 10,000 donation

BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court ordered a Hubballi-based psychiatrist, who filed a PIL seeking opening of liquor shops during the lockdown, to donate Rs 10,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
“Do you know how many people are starving? Is liquor more important than food for survival?” a division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka asked Dr Kulkarni, who had appeared through video conference.
Kulkarni told the court he filed the PIL after learning at least 10 people had committed suicide due to non-availability of liquor. He also sought a direction that liquor shops stay open for at least for a few hours and for sale of liquor to be limited.
When the doctor cited the example of the US where he said liquor is available, the bench retorted saying the US is not under lockdown like India.
The bench also said those addicted can be treated for withdrawal symptoms. It asked Kulkarni how much he was willing to pay for abusing the process of court. Kulkarni agreed to pay Rs 10,000 and withdrew his plea. The court asked him to pay the sum into the CM’s relief fund.