Ghalib quoted in Supreme Court to boost Centre's argument on alcohol

The nine-judge constitution bench hearing on the right to regulate industrial alcohol has produced several light-hearted moments in the Supreme Court and Thursday was no exception. A lawyer bemused the bar and bench by arguing that consumption of alcohol did not mean just drinking liquor as industrial-grade alcohol is used in products like nail polish, wood varnish, and paint, among others. Justice Hrishikesh Roy, part of the nine-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, quipped, “So you are arguing that lips may not be needed for consuming liquor?” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the argument was akin to what celebrated Urdu poet and wine connoisseur Ghalib had said centuries ago: “Go haath ko jumbish nahi aankhon me to dum hai, rehne do abhi sagar-o-meena mere aage.” The nine-judge bench is examining the issue of overlapping powers of the Centre and states in the production, manufacturing, supply and regulation of industrial alcohol. Centre asserts its right to regulate industrial alcohol The Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday that legislative power to levy excise duty on alcohol not fit for human consumption but meant for industrial use lies exclusively with Parliament.