Kerala HC allows Kochi’s Radisson Blu to operate till 3 am: Why court struck down police restrictions on late-night DJ parties? | Today’s news

The Kerala High Court has allowed Kochi’s Radisson Blu Hotel in Kadavanthra to continue operating a bar until 3 am, quashing a police notice that restricted the nightly DJ programs at the five-star hotel, LiveLaw reported. The court ruled that concerns about drug use, violence and other criminal activity could not alone justify curtailing the operating hours granted to a hotel under a valid liquor license.

Justice Murali Purushothaman passed the order on Tuesday while hearing a petition filed by the hotel challenging the restrictions imposed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police Kadavanthra. The decision means the hotel can use the three additional hours allowed under the amended foreign liquor rules during the 2026-27 financial year, except on the eve of a statutory dry day.

Why did Radisson Blu approach the Kerala High Court?

The controversy arose after the Kochi police issued a notification restricting DJ programs at the Radisson Blu Hotel after 11 pm and imposing restrictions on the bar’s opening hours.

The hotel argued that it had secured the necessary permission from the Excise Department to extend its operations till 3 a.m. under its FL-3 liquor license. That was true too ₹5 crores on the prescribed charge for extended operating hours.

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Management argued that the police could not independently impose restrictions that would conflict with the extended license granted under the Foreign Liquor Rules. She challenged the notification as legally unsustainable and argued that the restrictions interfered with her right to conduct business under Article 19(1)(a). g) Constitution.

What was the argument of the Kerala Police?

The police have defended their restrictions by citing concerns about the growing number of nightclubs and alleged incidents of drug offences, violence and crimes against women linked to such gatherings.

According to an affidavit filed by the Kochi Police Commissioner, the number of establishments hosting night entertainment events has increased from three to over 34.

Police also highlighted the commercial scale of these events, saying organizers charged entry fees ranging from ₹1,500 up to ₹6,000 per person, while booking a table could cost up to that much ₹20,000.

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Police further cited incidents allegedly linked to the DJ party, including a violent clash, an NDPS case involving the arrest of eight people for possession of ganja, MDMA and cocaine, and an incident of disorderly conduct and damage to hotel property.

Authorities argued that the FL-3 license allowed hotels to serve alcohol and food during permitted hours, but did not automatically guarantee an unlimited right to host high-decibel DJ events or large late-night gatherings.

Why Kerala High Court struck down police restrictions?

The High Court ruled that the possibility of criminal activity at night entertainment events was not sufficient legal justification for the reduction in operating hours granted under the Foreign Liquor Rules.

According to LiveLaw, the court observed: “The mere possibility of criminal activity cannot in itself constitute sufficient justification for imposing restrictions under the Kerala Police Act on the extended operating hours of FL3 hotels permitted under the Foreign Liquor Exchange Rules.”

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She further clarified that police authorities can take action against actual criminal activity instead of blanket restrictions based on apprehension.

The court said: “If the police have reason to believe that criminal activity, including the use of intoxicating substances, is taking place under the guise of DJ parties or other entertainment programs in hotels, it is the responsibility of the police to take strict measures in accordance with the law to curb it.”

The High Court also ruled that until the state government framed appropriate rules specifying exemptions from the extended opening hours, the police could not revoke permits granted under the Foreign Liquor Rules without special reasons justifying such restrictions.