The Chennai High Court has ordered that if liquor is sold at inflated prices in TASMAC liquor shops across Tamil Nadu, consumers should file a complaint at the concerned police station, and based on that, the police must immediately register a case.
In a petition filed in the Chennai High Court by G. Devarajan from Sembium, it was stated that liquor is being sold at higher prices in TASMAC liquor shops at 30 locations including Perambur, Kolathur, and Madhavaram. It was requested that the Anti-Corruption Department and the Enforcement Department be directed to register cases against the concerned shop employees under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Similarly, it should be ordered that the excess amount collected from 2022 to 2026 be recovered from the concerned employees and remitted to the government. It was also stated that orders should be issued to initiate dismissal proceedings against the concerned employees.
In hearing this case, the High Court had ordered the Tasmac administration to maintain receipt books for the liquor sold at Tasmac liquor shops across Tamil Nadu. It had also ordered that a receipt be issued for every bottle of liquor purchased by consumers.
This case came up for hearing before Judge G.K. Ilanthiraiyan on Friday. At that time, the government side stated that a circular had been sent to all TASMAC shops across Tamil Nadu to maintain receipt books and issue receipts to consumers for liquor sold at the stores. It was also stated that, since the crowd of consumers buying liquor at many places is large, there are difficulties in issuing receipts.
Then, on the petitioner’s side, it was stated that the liquor had been purchased on Thursday, that an extra amount had been charged, and that no receipt was issued. To this, the judge said that even for ordinary toothpaste and toothbrushes bought in supermarkets, receipts are issued. If that is the case, what is the problem in issuing receipts for Tasmac liquor, which brings substantial revenue to the state? Why should police personnel not be deployed to control the crowd at Tasmac shops? the judge asked.
Furthermore, consumers do not need to pay any extra amount for liquor purchased at Tasmac shops. It was stated that Tasmac shop employees ask for extra money only because consumers give it. Later, if an additional amount is collected for liquor sold at Tasmac shops without following the government circular issued in this matter, consumers should file a complaint at the police station having jurisdiction over the area concerned. Based on that complaint, the police should immediately register a case.
Moreover, police personnel should be deployed at liquor shops where there is a large crowd of consumers. Further, the court ordered that an appropriate investigation be conducted under the law by the Anti-Corruption Department into the complaint filed by the petitioner who has pursued this case, and that a report on it be submitted, and adjourned the hearing.