What’s the Problem in Keeping Shops Open 24 Hours? High Court Questions Police
While the concept of keeping shops open 24/7 is widely accepted worldwide, the Mumbai High Court reprimanded the Pune Police for insisting that shops close by 11 PM. The court questioned, “What’s the problem in keeping shops open 24 hours?” and clarified that there is no legal restriction on shops operating round the clock. The court observed that allowing shops to stay open late benefits customers and boosts the economy. It ordered the Pune Police not to force shop owners to shut down by 11 PM.
The case was filed by Accelerate Product X Ventures Pvt. Ltd., which owns The New Shop in Hadapsar, Pune. The company approached the High Court after the police, without any legal basis, arbitrarily instructed them to close their shop by 11 PM.
A division bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Advait Sethna heard the petition and reprimanded the police, questioning their insistence on early closure. The bench stated that under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, shops can remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no restrictions. The judges pointed out that only specific establishments such as hookah bars, permit rooms, dance bars, and liquor-serving restaurants are subject to operating restrictions.
The court further noted that in 2020, the government allowed cinema halls to operate 24/7, yet the police had no legal authority to impose restrictions on the petitioner’s shop.
Key Observations by the High Court:
- Keeping shops open late benefits customers, especially those with non-traditional working hours, by providing them with flexible shopping options.
- Late-night shopping can stimulate economic growth and create additional employment opportunities.
- Given India’s large population and high unemployment rates, such measures are crucial for boosting job opportunities.
The ruling reaffirms that businesses should not face unnecessary restrictions, provided they operate within legal limits.
Press Release Link – https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/marathi/saamana-epaper-saam/dukane+24+tas+suru+thevayala+kay+harakat+aahe+polisanna+ucch+nyayalayane+sunavale-newsid-n658551299?sm=Y
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