Delhi High Court Dismisses Pernod Ricard's Liquor Licence Plea

The Delhi High Court has dismissed the plea by Pernod Ricard challenging the denial of a licence to sell liquor. The court pointed out the company's criminal involvement under the Excise Act. The petition was against Delhi authorities and related to a money laundering investigation linked to the excise policy.

The Delhi High Court ruled against the liquor giant Pernod Ricard on Friday, dismissing its application for an L1 liquor licence in the capital. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav cited the company's alleged criminal conduct under the Excise Act as the grounds for deeming it ineligible for licensure. The detailed judgment is yet to be published.

The sought-after L1 licence allows for large-scale liquor warehousing and distribution to retail outlets. Government counsel Sameer Vashisht and Avni Singh opposed Pernod Ricard's petition, referencing section 13 of the Delhi Excise Act. They clarified that the section's scope is broader than merely covering convictions.

Pernod Ricard, implicated in a money laundering case connected to the controversial Delhi Excise policy, challenged orders from the Delhi Excise Commissioner and Financial Commissioner, citing their prior refusals to grant a licence on February 17, 2026, and May 9, 2025, respectively, due to ongoing criminal investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).