New Delhi, Sep 9 - Delhi High Court Wednesday denied a public interest litigation asking for permission to serve liquor in bars and restaurants in the capital at any time in the day.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Manmohan dismissed the petition that sought to amend the Delhi Police Act of 1978 so that liquor can be served anytime at bars and restaurants.

The bench also imposed a cost of Rs.10,000 each on the petitioners for filing what it termed as 'unnecessary petitions'.

'This is the height of everything. Such public interest petitions should be curbed,' the court observed.

Shirish Gupta and Jagdish Lal, in their petition filed through advocate Shikha Singh said that while the state excise department had given permission to 5-star hotels to serve liquor anytime, the Delhi Police Act forced other bars and restaurants to close shop by 1 a.