While hearing three petitions challenging the non-renewal of licenses for six liquor vends in Rishikesh, the Uttarakhand High Court strongly criticised the decision by the excise commissioner, who had cited the proximity of the shops to "holy places" as the reason for denial.
The court observed the inconsistency in this approach, remarking that it was ironic to single out specific areas as "holy places" when the entire state is referred to as Dev Bhoomi (Land of the Gods).
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra, pointed out a clear contradiction in allowing bars, restaurants, resorts, and other retail vendors to continue serving liquor while denying license renewals to just these six establishments.
The court reprimanded the excise commissioner, stating that there appeared to be prima facie negligence and abuse of power. It directed the official to deposit Rs 5 lakh in each of the three cases—totaling Rs 15 lakh—into the court within a week.
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The judges made it clear that if the court ultimately concluded that the commissioner’s actions were entirely arbitrary, the amount would be awarded to the petitioners.
The petitioners—Siddhant Bailwal, Tejendra Singh, and Pawan Kumar—had earlier argued that while their clients’ licenses were denied, similar establishments in the same area were granted renewals without issue.
The court found this discriminatory and inconsistent, noting that if six shops selling liquor were deemed harmful to the town’s sanctity, then establishments serving alcohol in other forms should also be considered equally problematic. The court labeled this logic paradoxical and ironical, and ordered the excise commissioner to immediately process the pending license renewal applications.
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