A recent Madras High Court order has triggered confusion over whether individuals can bring liquor purchased in Puducherry into Tamil Nadu for personal use. Cuddalore Superintendent of Police Jayakumar said on Sunday that an appeal would be filed against the ruling.
The High Court had quashed a case against a person who was found carrying liquor from Puducherry. The court noted that Tamil Nadu rules permit an individual to possess up to 4.5 litres of Indian-made foreign liquor for personal use, and the person had only 1.680 litres, leading to the case being set aside.
Following the order, messages circulated in both Puducherry and Tamil Nadu suggesting that liquor could be carried from Puducherry into Tamil Nadu within the permitted limit. Puducherry excise officials, however, clarified that the possession limits under Puducherry excise law apply only within Puducherry’s territory and do not automatically extend to transport into Tamil Nadu.
Officials said bringing liquor from neighbouring states into Tamil Nadu without the concerned excise department’s permission is treated as an offence and can be booked as smuggling. Tamil Nadu excise police also reiterated that individuals may carry up to 4.5 litres of IMFL and 9 litres of beer only if purchased from TASMAC and supported by a receipt, and that liquor from outside the state should not be brought in.
Jayakumar said the personal possession limit does not apply to liquor brought from Puducherry into Tamil Nadu, and that the police would pursue an appeal to seek clarity on the High Court order.
