The Punjab & Haryana High Court has asked a petitioner to modify their plea while challenging the Chandigarh Excise Policy 2025-26. The court wants the petition to specifically question the constitutional validity of the policy, rather than just the way liquor vends were allocated.
The case revolves around Clause 14 of the policy, which limits any individual or related entity from obtaining more than ten liquor licenses. However, the petitioner, Vault Liquor Private Limited, claims that a particular family and its associates managed to acquire 87 out of 97 liquor vends, creating a monopoly in Chandigarh’s liquor trade.
A division bench, consisting of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikas Suri, acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the importance of fair competition in the bidding process. The court noted that liquor is not an essential commodity and can be regulated accordingly.
Allegations of Bid Manipulation
The petitioner argued that despite the policy’s restrictions, a single group dominated the auction process. They alleged that 12 bidders acted as a cartel, avoiding competition, which led to financial losses for the government. A report highlighting bid manipulation was submitted to the authorities, but no corrective action was taken before proceeding with the allocations.
Court’s Directive
The court stressed the need for transparency in liquor licensing and directed the petitioner to amend their plea to include a constitutional challenge to the policy. Until the matter is resolved, the allotment process has been put on hold. The next hearing is scheduled for April 3, 2025, where the court will further deliberate on the policy’s validity.
