Kerala High Court strikes down Abkari rule banning women in toddy shops

The Kerala High Court struck down a provision in the Kerala Abkari rules that prohibited the employment of women in toddy shops.

Justice P. Gopinath ruled that the restriction violated constitutional guarantees of equality, non-discrimination, the right to life, and the freedom to practice any trade.

The State argued the rule was intended to protect women workers in remote locations, but the court maintained safety must not be achieved through employment bans.