S. S. M. QUADRI, J.

( 1 ) INTOXICATING drinks, a much desired beverage, a favourite topic of poetry in oriental countries, a routine drink and indispensable item of parties and dinners in occidental countries, have nonetheless been subject of controversy from time immemorial. Their virtues and vices have been debated by the addicts and the reformists for ages. Some religions prohibited their use on the ground of their predominantly delirious effects which outweigh the pleasure, enjoyment and benefits, if any, of the drinks. Though the petitioners have placed some material on record to show that all intoxicating drinks are not injurious to health and that some drinks like beer, draught beer have good nutrition value and that some others, if taken in small quantities, not only have no delirious effect but also have many advantages and the State relied on some literature to show that intoxicating drinks are injurious to health, we are not inclined to discuss these aspects inasmuch as our constitutional framers imposed a duty on every State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of the intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injuriou

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