The Supreme Court’s nine-judge Constitution bench has overturned a previous ruling. In an 8:1 decision, the bench restored the power of states to make laws concerning industrial alcohol. The ruling states that the Centre does not have regulatory authority over its production.
1990 Synthetics and Chemicals Case Overruled
The new ruling overturns the 1990 Synthetics and Chemicals case. That decision had ruled in favor of the Centre, stating that states could not regulate industrial alcohol. The latest judgment now allows states to regulate it under the Concurrent List.
Majority Verdict by Eight Justices
The majority decision was given by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with justices Hrishikesh Roy, AS Oka, JB Pardiwala, Ujjal Bhuyan, Manoj Misra, SC Sharma, and AG Masih. They upheld the rights of state governments to regulate industrial alcohol.
Dissenting Opinion
Justice BV Nagarathna, however, gave a dissenting opinion. She held that the Centre should have exclusive legislative power to regulate industrial alcohol.
Focus on Industrial Alcohol Regulation
The case was about whether state governments have control over industrial alcohol. This type of alcohol is used to create other products and is not intended for human consumption. The court began hearing the case on April 2, ultimately affirming states’ authority over its regulation.
