Explained: Delhi HC ruling on liquor shops and public sentiments | Explained News,The Indian Express
The Delhi High Court has ruled on petitions challenging the location of liquor vends in residential areas. What was the case, and what has the court said? Why was there controversy over the issue? What do the rules state?
The Delhi High Court in a ruling has said that the public opposition to a liquor vend’s location cannot be the sole ground for cancellation of an excise licence. Public opinion or sentiment is not a factor relevant under the Delhi Excise Act for locating a liquor vend, said Justice Yashwant Varma while upholding the Financial Commissioner’s order on restoring licence to a restaurant in June 2019.
Soon after the new liquor policy came into force in November last year, a number of petitions both by residents and licence holders reached the court in connection with the disputes over location of liquor vends. People also held protests against the location of liquor vends.
What was the case?
In January 2018, the excise licence of 2 Bandits Restaurant was cancelled by the department of excise considering the apprehension of disturbance of law and order and public sentiments. The order on appeal was set aside by the Financial Commissioner in June 2019 and the licence of the restaurant was restored. The Department of Excise before the Delhi High Court last month challenged the restoration, saying it has ample powers under the Delhi Excise Act to cancel a licence for any reason whatsoever.
The Delhi HC ruling
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