Latest news with #DelhiExciseAct
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Hans India
Police seize 44 cartons of illicit liquor, vehicle
New Delhi: In a major action against the illegal liquor trade, the Special Staff of Delhi Police has seized 44 cartons containing 2,200 quarters of 'desi' illicit liquor, which were marked 'For Sale in Haryana Only'. The operation also led to the confiscation of a Tata Ace tempo used in transporting the contraband. The seizure was made following a coordinated effort by a dedicated police team acting on a tip-off regarding the movement of illicit liquor into the national capital. To tackle the ongoing issue of illegal liquor distribution, the Special Staff had been assigned to keep a close watch on suspected bootleggers operating in the area. Regular patrolling and intelligence-gathering were intensified. Acting on specific information received by Head Constable Sumer Singh, the team, comprising ASI Manoj, HC Sumer Singh, HC Chetram Meena, Constable Sanjay, and Woman Constable Nirmala, under the leadership of Inspector Vijay Baliyan and the close supervision of Vijay Kumar, ACP/Operations, set up a trap near the Dhaula Kuan roundabout on May 18. At around 5.25 p.m., a Tata Ace tempo suspected of carrying illicit liquor was spotted approaching from Ridge Road. The driver ignored police signals to stop, rammed the vehicle into the boundary wall of a flyover, and fled on foot. Upon inspection, the tempo was found to be loaded with 44 cartons of liquor, clearly labelled for sale in Haryana only. According to the official press release, 'The illicit liquor was taken into police possession through a seizure memo. Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 134/2025 u/s 33/58 Delhi Excise Act has been registered at PS Delhi Cantt. The said Tata Ace tempo used for transportation of illicit liquor was seized in the case.' Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the driver and the supplier involved in the smuggling attempt. Speaking on the action, Aishwarya Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, reaffirmed the district police's resolve to curb the illegal liquor trade and ensure strict enforcement of excise laws.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Criminal proceedings, lack of 'moral probity' stop Pernod Ricard from re-entering Delhi
New Delhi: As global liquor conglomerate Pernod Ricard continues to remain barred from re-entering the Delhi market, the latest order from city's Excise Commissioner, Sunny K. Singh, has clearly mentioned that the "mere pendency of criminal proceedings, particularly involving allegations of economic crimes, justifies the exercise of caution and the denial of license privileges". In its 16-page order, while rejecting the French company's liquor licence renewal plea, the Excise Department cited "serious economic offences" and ongoing criminal investigations as justification for the continued denial. The Commissioner said that "the action of the Excise Department aligns with principles of public trust, moral integrity, revenue protection, and regulatory discretion as mandated under the Delhi Excise Act, 2009", sending a fresh blow to the maker of popular labels like Chivas Regal, Absolut Vodka and Glenlivet. This is the third consecutive rejection for Pernod Ricard. The company has been out of the key Delhi market since 2022 following the scrapping of the city's contentious 2021-22 excise policy under the then Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which triggered investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had accused the French liquor major of gaining unfair market dominance by unlawfully supporting local retailers through bank guarantees. The CBI, however, did not formally charge Pernod Ricard in connection with the excise investigation. According to the Delhi Excise Commissioner's order, a copy of which has been seen by IANS, the Supreme Court and High Court have recognised that licensing authorities have the discretion to assess the moral character of applicants, considering pending criminal charges wherever relevant. "The final decision must be based on a thorough evaluation of the individual's conduct and the nature of the alleged offence. In light of the above principles and doctrines, the decision to reject Pernod Ricard India Private Limited's L1 license application vide order dated 13.04.2023 of Deputy Commissioner (Excise/Licensing Authority stands firmly grounded in legal jurisprudence and is therefore upheld forthwith," the order stated. In a statement, a Pernod Ricard spokesperson said: "This order pertains to our earlier FY22-23 license application." "While we do not agree with it, our main focus is on securing a fresh license for the current Financial Year. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues available to us. We remain confident in the strength of our legal position and look forward to resuming operations in Delhi at the earliest," the spokesperson added.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Time of India
Bars, hotels told to submit police clearance certs within five days
New Delhi: With a number of city bars yet to submit the police clearance certificates, Delhi govt has issued a stern warning threatening punitive action if the order is not complied with in the next five days. The excise department issued an order on Monday directing the hotels, clubs and restaurants in the city with an excise licence to obtain the mandatory police clearance licence. The department observed that a number of HCR (hotels, clubs, restaurants) licensees were yet to submit the certificate. There are around 900 hotels, clubs and restaurants that serve liquor in Delhi. The police clearance certificate is required to be submitted within 30 days of the issuance of a licence under Section 13 of Delhi Excise Act 2009. The excise department issued a circular in Feb for obtaining the police clearance certificates by the HCR licensees. According to the Monday order, any licensee that fails to submit the police clearance certificate within five days will face action under Delhi Excise Act and the rules framed under it. The certificates are sought as a way of general verification, ensuring that the background of the operators does not have any police record. A Delhi govt official said strict action would also be taken against entities that serve liquor without the mandatory liquor licence issued by govt. "Several eateries are operating on the basis of the eating house licence issued by Delhi Police and illegally serving liquor. We took action against many in the past few days and seized liquor smuggled to Delhi from the neighbouring states. We will now ask Delhi Police to cancel the eating house licence issued to them," said the official.
