MP High Court: Liquor Trade Not a Fundamental Right, Upholds Licence Suspension

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that trading in liquor is not a fundamental right under the Constitution and is subject to strict government regulation.

The Court upheld the suspension of licences granted to Som Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., after authorities found serious violations such as transporting liquor using forged permits.

The company argued that since its earlier licences had expired and new ones were issued, the previous violations should not affect the renewed licences.

However, the Court rejected this claim, stating that renewal cannot remove past statutory violations. It held that excise authorities acted lawfully and dismissed the company’s petition.

[Som Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. v. The State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.]