Kerala HC allows hotel Radisson Blu in Kochi to operate till 3 a.m.

KOCHI The Kerala High Court has allowed hotel Radisson Blu, Kochi, to operate till 3 a.m. Justice Murali Purushothaman set aside a notice by police authorities banning the hotel from operating and conducting DJ parties after 11 p.m. K.

Mahadevan, the hotel's licensee, had challenged the notice issued by the police, alleging that the hotel had obtained the right to extended operation after meeting all the required criteria, including payment of additional licence fees. The State had contended that allowing the hotel to operate and conduct DJ parties till 3 a.m. would cause disruptions to public order and act as a venue for drug-related transactions.

However, the court held that the police could not curtail or restrict the operating hours of the hotel, unless the State government issued regulations curtailing the operating hours. Mere possibility of criminal activities could not justify imposing restrictions under the Kerala Police Act on the extended operating hours of an FL3 hotel permitted under the Foreign Liquor Amendment Rules, the court stated.