In a relief for the Tamil Nadu government, the Supreme Court has stayed the Madras High Court order for closure of state-run liquor outlets on grounds of violations of the coronavirus guidelines.

Hearing a plea of the Tamil Nadu government on Friday, the SC stayed the HC order on closure of liquor outlets. The Tamil Nadu government can now sell liquor at state-owned Tasmac shops again.

After the Madras High Court last week ordered closure of liquor outlets noting that there were huge crowds and no social distancing was being maintained by tipplers, the Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court.

In its appeal, the Tamil Nadu government termed the HC order a case of "judicial overreach" and said online sale and home delivery of alcohol were not possible in the entire state.

"It is pertinent that online modes of effective liquor sales are not even available in the vast majority of state at present and can only be implemented after following the due procedures under law," the appeal stated.

After a dry spell of 43 days due to the lockdown since late March, liquor sales had resumed at Tasmac outlets in Tamil Nadu, except state capital Chennai, earlier this month.

Heavy rush was witnessed at most places with people standing in queues.