Pune: The Bombay High Court has ruled that convenience stores operating 24×7 provide significant benefits to both customers and the economy, stating that there is no legal restriction on their operations. The court directed Pune Police not to force a store in Hadapsar to close by 11 PM, emphasizing that such businesses enhance consumer convenience and boost economic activity.

A division bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna noted that 24-hour convenience stores are a globally accepted concept, catering to consumers with non-standard working hours and creating employment opportunities. The judges further highlighted that Maharashtra has no restrictions on the operational hours of such establishments under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Service and Conditions of Service) Act.

The ruling came in response to a petition by Accelerate Productx Ventures Pvt Ltd, which operates ‘The New Shop’ in Pune’s Hadapsar area. The company alleged that local police were arbitrarily forcing them to shut operations by 11 PM despite no legal provision mandating such closures. The court clarified that restrictions on operational hours apply only to specific establishments such as hookah bars, permit rooms, and liquor-serving restaurants, but not to general retail stores.

In 2020, the Maharashtra government permitted cinema halls to function 24×7, further reinforcing the state’s progressive approach toward business operations. The bench ruled that police had no justification for imposing time-related restrictions on convenience stores.

In response to the petition, Pune Police stated that the enforcement was due to a ‘misunderstanding’ and confirmed that they had no intent to prevent the store from carrying out its lawful business.