Photo Source: ANI
Supreme Court lifts HC stay on liqour shops in Chandigarh
Liquor shops to remain closed from April 1 to 3; High Court hearing on April 3
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 1, 2025 – The Supreme Court has overturned the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order to keep liquor shops closed in Chandigarh from April 1 to 3. The High Court had earlier imposed a stay due to petitions challenging the tender process for liquor vends.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that the High Court had not provided a clear justification for the stay, leading to its cancellation.Despite this, liquor shops in Chandigarh will remain closed from April 1 to 3, as per administrative orders. The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on April 3.
Every year on April 1, Chandigarh's liquor concessions are allocated to new contractors. This year, the process sparked controversy after multiple traders alleged that 91 out of 97 liquor concessions had been awarded to a single group, violating fair competition principles.
In response to these allegations, the High Court had directed liquor shops to remain closed until April 3, maintaining the status quo. The next hearing is set for April 4, after which further decisions will be made.
Petitioners claim the tender process was flawed and non-transparent. According to excise policies, no individual, firm, or company is allowed to control more than 10 liquor shops to prevent monopolies. However, they allege that Chandigarh's administration bypassed this rule, allowing some individuals to acquire multiple shops under the names of family members, associates, and employees.
The petitioners argue that these irregularities undermine the core objectives of the excise policy, which aims to promote fair competition and prevent monopolization of the liquor trade.