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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
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pernod Ricard loses bid for New Delhi licence again amid probe
New Delhi city government has rejected for a third time Pernod Ricard 's request for a licence to sell its brands in India's capital, citing ongoing investigations, an order showed, dealing a blow to the French liquor giant in a key market. The order comes despite an Indian appeals authority in February asking city officials to reconsider the rejections as investigations against Pernod for allegedly breaching the city's liquor policy in 2021 had not so far resulted in any conviction. The Delhi city authorities disagreed and rejected Pernod's request again in a May 9 order, saying courts had upheld that local governments have "broad discretion to deny it (a licence) to entities that lack moral probity". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo "Mere existence of allegations and investigation justifies administrative caution in licensing matters," city Excise Commissioner Sunny K. Singh wrote in his order. The order is not public but was reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. Live Events Pernod said in a statement it did not agree with the decision, which pertains to an application filed for 2022-23, adding its "main focus is on securing a fresh licence for the current financial year." "We will continue to pursue all legal avenues available to us," it added. Delhi is a critical market for any liquor company in India. Pernod, whose brands include Chivas Regal and Absolut Vodka , has in the past said New Delhi alone accounted for 5% of its total sales in India, which stood at $3.13 billion last year. India's federal financial crime agency accuses Pernod of violating the city's rules by illegally extending bank guarantees to New Delhi's retailers, which in return agreed to boost the company's market share. That case is currently pending and Pernod has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. An internal investigation ordered by Pernod, however, concluded that its top executives did violate city law, even as its representatives denied wrongdoing publicly and in court, Reuters reported in December. In February, a Delhi appeals authority said Pernod's case merited a review as "there has to be a conviction beyond doubt by a court of law before any adverse opinion or action can be taken". The May 9 order disagreed, though, saying the allegations were about "serious economic offences , which justifies the state's preventive measures."
Reuters
15-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Pernod Ricard loses bid for New Delhi licence again amid probe
NEW DELHI, May 15 (Reuters) - New Delhi city government has rejected for a third time Pernod Ricard's ( opens new tab request for a licence to sell its brands in India's capital, citing ongoing investigations, an order showed, dealing a blow to the French liquor giant in a key market. The order comes despite an Indian appeals authority in February asking city officials to reconsider the rejections as investigations against Pernod for allegedly breaching the city's liquor policy in 2021 had not so far resulted in any conviction. The Delhi city authorities disagreed and rejected Pernod's request again in a May 9 order, saying courts had upheld that local governments have "broad discretion to deny it (a licence) to entities that lack moral probity". "Mere existence of allegations and investigation justifies administrative caution in licensing matters," city Excise Commissioner Sunny K. Singh wrote in his order. The order is not public but was reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. Pernod said in a statement it did not agree with the decision, which pertains to an application filed for 2022-23, adding its "main focus is on securing a fresh licence for the current financial year." "We will continue to pursue all legal avenues available to us," it added. Delhi is a critical market for any liquor company in India. Pernod, whose brands include Chivas Regal and Absolut Vodka, has in the past said New Delhi alone accounted for 5% of its total sales in India, which stood at $3.13 billion last year. India's federal financial crime agency accuses Pernod of violating the city's rules by illegally extending bank guarantees to New Delhi's retailers, which in return agreed to boost the company's market share. That case is currently pending and Pernod has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. An internal investigation ordered by Pernod, however, concluded that its top executives did violate city law, even as its representatives denied wrongdoing publicly and in court, Reuters reported in December. In February, a Delhi appeals authority said Pernod's case merited a review as "there has to be a conviction beyond doubt by a court of law before any adverse opinion or action can be taken". The May 9 order disagreed, though, saying the allegations were about "serious economic offences, which justifies the state's preventive measures."
