JUDGMENT

Ramesh Ranganathan, C.J. (Oral)

The petitioner, a practicing advocate, has invoked the PIL jurisdiction of this Court seeking, among others, a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to implement Section 37-A of the U.P. Excise Act, 1910 (for short the ‘Act'), as applicable in the State of Uttarakhand, in its letter and spirit; a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to assess the loss being caused to human resources, and the public health, due to consumption of liquor in the State of Uttarakhand; and to further direct that necessary steps be taken to make-up the loss being caused by consumption of liquor to consumers, and their family members, in the State of Uttarakhand.

2. While a passionate plea is made by Sri B.P. Nautiyal, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, of the urgent need for judicial interference to curb the extensive damage caused to families in the hilly areas of the State of Uttarakhand, and in some cases complete destruction of the social fabric of entire villages, on account of the sole bread winner frittering away his entire earnings on consumption of liquor, and it is submitted that failure to implement prohibition in the