New Delhi, April 10 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the Union government regarding the regulatory powers of states over industrial alcohol, emphasising the latter's role as guardians of public health.

"We all know about hooch tragedies, and the states are widely concerned about the health of their citizens. Why should the states not have the power to regulate? If they can regulate to ensure that there is no misuse, then they can impose any fees," remarked a nine-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud.

The bench, also comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay S Oka, B V Nagarathna, J B Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, Satish Chandra Sharma and Augustine George Masih, is examini...