Madras High Court probes liquor licence rules for bars near colleges after student brawl

Madras High Court has asked the state’s liquor regulator to explain whether any rules govern bar licences near schools after a 19‑year‑old student was booked for a drunken fight. Justice N. Ramesh issued the order while hearing an anticipatory bail petition filed by the student. The court named the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise as a respondent and requested details on the licence granted to the El Dorado bar inside the SRM Hotel at Potheri, on the outskirts of Chennai. The judge asked for any government orders, circulars or guidelines that set a minimum distance between such premises and an educational institution, hostel or place of worship, and for the exact walking distance from the bar to the nearest college gate or hostel. He also sought to know whether the bar lies within a municipal area and if the student population was considered when the FL‑3 licence was issued or renewed. The SRM Institute of Science and Technology was added as a respondent; its registrar must state whether the college management is linked to the hotel and what steps were taken to stop students from drinking. The court noted that three students suffered injuries from a beer‑bottle strike on 26 September 2026 and were treated at SRM Hospital. It ordered that the petitioner not be arrested provided he cooperates with the investigation and appears for any inquiry. ## Context The case highlights growing concerns about alcohol outlets operating close to campuses, prompting courts and regulators to re‑examine licensing criteria to better protect young adults.