The Supreme Court will hear today a batch of petitions seeking modification of its December 2016 order banning liquor vends within 500 meters of state and national highways across the country. A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and S K Kaul assured yesterday a battery of lawyers led by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that it will ensure that the matters are heard today.

Mr Rohatgi informed the bench that the apex court judgement, ordering closure of liquor vends alongside highways, will come into effect from 1st of April and this leads to a situation where urgent hearing is needed. Kerala, Punjab and Telangana had approached the Supreme Court seeking modification of the order.