Casinos and starred hotels serving booze after hours

By an order dated issued on 23rd January the government had notified that that all bars, restaurants and other eateries should be closed by 11:00 p.m. with effect from 25-01-2012 to 05-02-2012 and by 10:00 p.m.with effect from 06-02-2012 to 06-03-2012.

The order should apply to all establishments serving food or alcohol and needs to be implemented and enforced uniformly without fear or favour which was not being done by the authorities. A complaint has been today filed before the Chief Electoral officer against casinos and some restaurants in starred hotels serving food and alcohol beyond the new closure timings notified in view of the code of conduct in force for the ensuing State assembly elections.

In his complaint Adv. Aires Rodrigues has stated that bars and restaurants in various on shore and off shore Casinos and some of the restaurants in starred hotels have been blatantly violating the order on new closure timings which had to be implemented and strictly enforced from January 25th.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that it was unjustified and very unfair that a shack owner or a small restaurant has to comply with the law whereas the politically well connected Casinos and starred hotels are being allowed to blatantly flout it.

Stating that the illegalities committed in the running of some of the casinos over the years had been going on with the blessings of the politicians, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the Election commission should ensure that the politician–casino nexus does not impede the holding of free and fair elections.

Alleging that the politicians in Goa had enough money to host the voters to drinks and food at the Casinos and five star hotels Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the intent of early closure hours would be defeated if the order was not strictly enforced across the board.

Adv. Rodrigues has also suggested that the election Commission should consider directing the Casinos to shut all their operations beyond the timings notified to ensure that politicians do not lure their voters and workers by sending them to Casinos.

Adv. Rodrigues has in his complaint called for extra vigilance by the Election Commission as the ensuing elections to the Goa State Assembly is expected to see a lot of money power, stemming from the astronomical wealth amassed by politicians in the rampant illegal mining and the massive real estate deals over the last five years in particular.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his complaint has also stated that if the order directing early closure of bars and restaurants is sought to be selectively enforced, that principles of natural justice and fair play would demand that the order itself be withdrawn.