Latest news with #DelhiExciseActandRules
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
HC seeks police's reply on plea against pubs, bars running illegally without proper liquor licence
New Delhi, The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought to know about the action taken by police against bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants allegedly operating in the city illegally and serving liquor without a proper licence. HC seeks police's reply on plea against pubs, bars running illegally without proper liquor licence A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the Delhi government and the city police and asked them to file their responses containing details of such bars, pubs and restaurants. "The affidavit by the respondents should also contain the details of action taken in case the bars, pubs and restaurants mentioned in the petition are found violating the provisions of law," the bench said. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 27. Petitioner Mahtab Khan has claimed that several restaurants, clubs, pubs and bars in the city are operating illegally, without the L-16 licence, causing loss to the government. Senior advocate Kirti Uppal and lawyer Sitab Ali Chaudhary, representing the petitioner, submitted that despite pointing out the illegality through a representation, the authorities have failed to take any action and stop these establishments from operating after the permitted time limit. The plea has pointed out that under the Delhi Excise Act and Rules, standalone bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs are prohibited from operating and selling alcohol after 1 am unless they possess the L-16 licence. Despite this, numerous establishments have been found to be serving alcohol well past the permitted hours, sometimes operating until 7 am, in blatant disregard for the law, it has alleged. "In recent weeks, the petitioner sent some persons to visit the establishments listed in the petition, all of which have been found to operate past the legally permitted time and sell alcohol without the required licences. "The list is only inclusive and not exhaustive, as mentioned in the petition, indicating 21 such bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants, that is, violators. Such places organise events and parties each night which go on till 7 am without the requisite licence and permit," the plea has claimed. It has said that these establishments are located in such areas where fire tenders cannot even reach in case of an accident as some of those do not have an appropriate approach to the road. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Indian Express
Can't employ those younger than 21 years at hotels, clubs & restaurants that serve alcohol in Delhi
Not only are citizens below the age of 25 prohibited from buying or consuming alcohol at hotels, clubs and restaurants in Delhi, but those aged 21 and under are also banned from working at any premises where liquor is served or sold. The Delhi Excise Department has issued directions to all Hotel, Club, and Restaurant (HCR) licensees to provide documentary proof that their staff are above the age of 21. 'As per the rules, HCR licensees are not allowed to employ any salesman or representative who has a criminal background or suffers from any infectious and contagious disease or is below 21 years of age. But, recently during an ongoing drive, the department found that several places have employed staff below 21 years of age, which is illegal and violates the rules,' said a senior official. The official added that the department also received complaints in this regard: 'When licensees apply for a licence, they submit that the staff who work on their premises are employed as per the rules. But many of them violate the guidelines later… So, the department has asked all licensees to submit documentary evidence in this regard within a week… otherwise, the department will take action.' The department has also asked HCR licensees to submit police clearance certificates of their staff — from directors, salesmen to representatives. 'The certificate is given by the police, saying that the said person employed with the HCR licensee possesses good moral character and has no criminal background or record…,' said an official. The department has directed these licensees to submit medical reports from government hospitals and dispensaries certifying that their staff are not suffering from any infectious and contagious disease. The HCR licensees have been asked to submit the reports in a week. There are about 1,000 HCR licensees registered in Delhi that serve liquor at their premises. In April, the department launched an aggressive drive against unlicensed premises. It conducted more than 40 raids in different parts of the city and found over 24 restaurants and cafes serving liquor to customers without a licence. In May, the department issued a five-day deadline to all HCR licensees to submit a police clearance certificate (PCC) and warned of strict action under the Delhi Excise Act and Rules.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Indian Express
Cancel clearance to restaurants serving liquor without licence: Excise Department to Delhi Police
Calling for strict action against restaurants selling liquor without permission, the Excise Department has urged the Delhi Police to cancel the eating house licence for such establishments. In the letter to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Licensing), Delhi Police, the Excise Department underlined, 'It is to inform you that recently the department conducted a surprise inspection and found that some of the restaurants are selling liquor without a valid excise licence…Sale of liquor without a valid excise licence is an offence under the Delhi Excise Act 2009 and rules framed there under…' 'The department has lodged FIRs against these offenders, and it is requested to take action against the owner of the said restaurant for selling liquor without valid excise licence in order to discourage such wrongdoers as well as to prevent loss of government revenue,' the letter further read, adding, '…It is requested to take necessary action for cancellation of eating house licence issued by your office considering that the licensee has indulged himself/herself in unlawful activities amounting to loss of government revenue.' A senior official explained that the Delhi Police issues an eating house licence and police clearance certificate, agencies like MCD and NDMC issue health licence, and the Fire Department issues NOC and fire safety clearance to the restaurants. The Excise Department had launched an aggressive drive against the unlicensed premises in April and conducted more than 40 raids in different parts of the city. Officials said that more than 24 restaurants and cafes were serving liquor without a valid licence. A majority of these restaurants were located in West and Northwest Delhi in locations such as Timarpur, Rajouri Garden, Rajender Nagar, Mayapuri, Punjabi Bagh, Kirti Nagar, among others. Some of the restaurants were located in South and East Delhi in locations such as Kalkaji, Hauz Khas, Laxmi Nagar, Paharganj, Preet Vihar, among others. 'The Excise Department conducts several raids and takes action like filing FIRs against the restaurant owners…But these people come out of jail on bail and start their restaurant again after some time and repeat the same offence…So to prevent this, the department has written to Delhi Police and other departments that give licences and other permissions to a restaurant,' said a senior official. Following the crackdown, officials said, the Excise Department has received at least 10 applications from restaurants seeking a licence to serve liquor on their premises. Earlier this month, the department also issued a five-day deadline to all the defaulting Hotel, Clubs, and Restaurants (HCR) licensees for submitting a police clearance certificate (PCC). It warned of strict action under the Delhi Excise Act and Rules.
