Retail Liquor Permit to Supermarket Stayed by High Court

Hyderabad: A circular issued by the Telangana excise commissioner allowing Spencer’s Retail Ltd to run four retails liquor shops in Hyderabad was stayed by the Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday.

Justice M.S Ramachandra Rao was dealing with a petition filed by S Dhanujay Reddy and six others who were challenging the commissioner’s licence to the four retail outlets belonging to the Spencer’s brand.

The petitioners contended that the circular was issued by the Telangana prohibition and excise commissioner on July 20 even when there was no provision under the Telangana Excise (Grant of License of Selling by Shop and Conditions of licence) Rules 2012 to grant licence without notification.

They argued that granting licences to new vendors midway and that too without notifications would adversely affect the revenues of existing licencees. Filling the state coiffeurs should not be the commissioner’s sole concern, they argued and added that he should take into consideration the business of existing licencees too.

The judge stayed the commissioner’s notice and issued notices to appropriate authorities.