Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling on Wednesday, determined that state governments have the authority to legislate on the sale of ‘industrial alcohol’, also known as ‘denatured spirits’, under the term ‘intoxicating liquor’ in the State List. This decision comes as a major victory for states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bengal, and Kerala, which had petitioned for this right.
A nine-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud delivered the verdict, with eight judges ruling in favor of the petitioning states. The court declared that ‘intoxicating liquor’ should not be narrowly interpreted to mean only alcohol fit for human consumption, but rather include all alcohol-containing liquids, even those not intended for human use.
The ruling effectively overturns a 34-year-old judgment from the Synthetics and Chemicals Pvt Ltd vs State of Uttar Pradesh case, which had restricted states’ legislative power over industrial alcohol. This case had been referred to a larger bench in 2007, leading to this pivotal decision.
Majority Verdict: States Can Regulate Industrial Alcohol
Chief Justice Chandrachud, speaking on behalf of the majority, emphasized that the state’s power to legislate on ‘intoxicating liquor’ could not be questioned. The inclusion of industrial alcohol under this term allows states to enact laws related to both intoxicating and industrial products, without interference from the central government.
Justice Nagarathna’s Dissent
Justice BV Nagarathna, however, dissented from the majority opinion. She argued that industrial alcohol, being unfit for human consumption, should not fall under state jurisdiction. According to her, the Synthetics case had been correctly decided and did not need to be overturned. She also warned against expanding the State List’s jurisdiction merely because industrial alcohol could potentially be illegally consumed.
Implications For State And Central Authority
The centre had argued that the power to regulate industrial alcohol had always rested with them under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act (IRDA) of 1951. However, the court’s ruling now reaffirms state control over this area, particularly under Entry 8 of the State List, which grants them authority over intoxicating alcohol, including its production, distribution, and sale.
This decision will have a significant impact on state laws governing industrial alcohol, allowing greater control over its regulation to curb illegal use.
