Chandigarh, April 1, 2025 – The Supreme Court has overturned the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order that had directed liquor shops in Chandigarh to remain closed from April 1 to 3. The High Court’s decision, based on petitions challenging the liquor vend tender process, was revoked as the Supreme Court found no clear justification for the stay.
However, despite the ruling, liquor shops will still remain closed due to administrative orders. The High Court is set to hear the case on April 3, with the next hearing scheduled for April 4.
The controversy erupted over allegations of unfair liquor concession allocation. Petitioners claimed that 91 out of 97 liquor shops were awarded to a single group, violating fair competition norms. They argued that Chandigarh’s administration bypassed excise policy rules, which prohibit monopolization by limiting ownership to a maximum of 10 liquor shops per entity. Allegations suggest that individuals acquired multiple shops under different names to evade restrictions.
The petitioners insist that these irregularities undermine the excise policy’s core objectives, which are meant to promote fair competition and prevent monopolization of the liquor trade.
