Illegal Nightlife In Dark Shankar Nagar Stretch Under High Court Lens

Nagpur: A public interest litigation before the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has alleged that a cluster of food establishments operating along the dark and bushy stretch from East Shankar Nagar to Bajaj Nagar Square has been permitting liquor consumption without required permissions and running operations well beyond stipulated hours, in what petitioners describe as a sustained administrative failure.Filed recently by two senior citizens and a doctor, the petitioner's counsel claims that "customers are being served liquor without permission, and operations continue beyond midnight till 3am in gross violation of norms" with the area witnessing heavy vehicular congestion late into the night.Taking note of the allegations, a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode on Monday flagged concerns over illegal constructions and enforcement gaps, particularly along a nullah running through the stretch. The court observed that "water flow cannot be obstructed under any circumstances," after being informed that eateries had built makeshift bridges over the channel.Senior counsel Akshay Naik, appearing for petitioners Dr Lalit Harode, Aseem Baodia and Murdula Phadke, submitted that several establishments had "illegally constructed bridges on a nullah flowing on the backside," adding "these eateries use the bridge to allow customers to escape" during enforcement action.It also points to encroachments on land belonging to Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), where commercial activity is restricted. "The entire encroachment on PDKV land must be cleared," the plea states, calling for removal of illegal structures and construction of a retention wall to prevent further misuse of the nullah.The petition underscores a pattern of alleged violations — unlicensed liquor consumption, late-night operations, noise pollution and traffic disruption — while accusing both police and civic authorities of failing to act despite repeated complaints.The bench allowed amendment to the petition to include Nagpur Municipal Corporation as a respondent, signalling a closer scrutiny of civic accountability and enforcement mechanisms in the hearings ahead.The establishments were accused of violating provisions of Maharashtra Police Act, 1951 and Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949.Key Takeaways:PIL alleges illegal liquor consumption without permits in heart of NagpurClaims operations continue till 3am in violation of normsPetition filed by two senior citizens & a doctorHigh Court flags illegal constructions over nullahObserves water flow cannot be obstructed under any circumstancesEateries accused of using bridges to evade enforcementEncroachments on PDKV land meant for restricted useAllegations include noise pollution & late-night congestionClaims inaction by police & civic authorities despite complaintsCourt adds NMC as respondent, signals scrutiny of enforcement gaps